frodopon

A lazy day

August 16, 2018Leave a Comment

Well yesterday was a pretty lazy day in this household. After all the excitement of having company the night before, we canines were pretty pooped out – and my human also decided to have an easy day. We still of course did our morning walks – and we got to go with Pig Pen and his human. I just don’t get the whole water and mud thing with him. To each his own.

My human said we are all in desperate need of a good grooming, but yesterday was pretty warm and muggy – so she didn’t attempt it. She DID attempt to take a few photos with the Sou’wester souvenir hat she bought for us while she was away. Let’s just say that the photo shoot was less than successful. I kept moving my head back so the hat wasn’t visible in the photos – or it kept falling over my eyes. Einstein was a bit more cooperative, but even the best shots were not all that exciting. She didn’t even ATTEMPT to try it with the FG. We have yet to model our tartan scarves. I can hardly wait….

Last night my human and the FG found themselves in a bit of a “situation.” You see, they like to go up to the golf course at the end of the night, and they walk the first couple of holes – as no one starts golfing so late. Last night they actually went up a bit earlier than they usually do – because we had some thick evening fog – and it was darker than usual. They walked the first hole and stopped to take some fog dog photos. They heard people on some holes further on, and turned around to go back home. They came around the corner and low and behold, somebody was teeing off on the hole they had just walked down. Uh-oh. My human is super conscious about never being in the way – that’s why we only go up early in the morning before the course opens, or at the end of the night when everyone is done. I might add that we never leave a TRACE of having been there – she always picks up any “deposits” even if they are not in a place that someone is likely to walk. So now they try to cut back across another fairway. And more people are coming out of the fog. They ended up darting back and forth like two thieves in the night. The short walk ended up being much longer than they expected.

And speaking of long walks, my human is having a bit of an ankle problem- and she should probably go to see her doctor. Based on her internet medical degree, she figures she has some tendonitis in her ankle – and it keeps swelling up. It’s fine in the morning – well it’s better in the morning, but as the day wears on it gets worse. She should probably be icing it and keeping it elevated, but seriously, how does someone with three dogs stay off their feet?! It is a bit of a dilemma.

Maybe we’ll let her relax again today. Maybe…

Perhaps I can help her work on that dating profile….

Have a good one. Peace and paws up!

Seizure free days: 86

More company!

August 15, 2018Leave a Comment

Yesterday Marvin left. We are going to miss him – he was a great dog walker! For a change – all three of us got to go for our walks together each morning. Back to two trips today…

Last night we had some more special company. Two humans and their dog, Flicka were visiting Nova Scotia from their home in the US. Flicka is a Picard. And she is one lucky dog – she gets to travel to all kinds of cool places. It MIGHT be because she is obedient. Really obedient. Unlike any dogs in THIS household.

Before they arrived, my human’s sister came over to help with the meal preparation. She made some bread with olive oil and was just about to toast it in the broiler. One problem. She left the baking sheet full of bread slices on the edge of the stove. The EDGE. Seriously- in this house, food on the edge is simply an invitation to help oneself to a snack. So when she stepped away from the stove and turned her back for 2.3 seconds, she heard a crash. It was raining baguette and two PONs became instant vacuum cleaners.

Luckily there was still a half baguette left that had not been sliced. Because my human was not about to serve the pieces on the floor that had not been instantaneously devoured.

And then, Flicka arrived. We PONs got to meet her first. We did the customary olfactory greeting, and that was that. Flicka is a mature Picard-and she didn’t t get too excited about two crazy younger PONs. We went back in the house, and then my human brought out the FG. Well. It was like they were two long lost cousins. One look at him and the grande dame got all happy and bouncy. I think they were flirting with each other. She must like younger guys. My human was so excited to meet Flicka and her humans, that my human didn’t even take any photos! But luckily, Flicka’s humans did – so here are a few shots taken by them:

After the initial meetings, we were sequesetered in the basement rec room, while Flicka stayed upstairs during dinner. Those are the privileges one gets when one is well-mannered. A good lesson for the future. Maybe by the time I am Flicka’s age, I will behave. Sure I will.

It was very nice to meet them – and another cool example of how the internet can bring people together!

Today our house will be quiet without the company. But not to worry – we’ll be sure my human NEVER gets bored. She still has lots of vacation left…

Have a good one. Peace and paws up!

Seizure free days: 85

Marvin is leaving…

August 14, 2018Leave a Comment

Ya da ya da. Remember how my human was extolling the good behavior of the FG? And how he seemed to be maturing? Wrongo. The Tasmanian Devil is BACK. The well-mannered routine was short lived.

Yesterday my human and Marvin went out for a little while and when they came back, my human let all of us run around outside- with the FG on a long line. We were racing around on the lawn when suddenly, Einstein put his nose in the air. And he headed for the woods. Of course the other two Stooges had to follow, with me hot on his heels, followed by the FG. When my human shouted for us to come back, the instigator immediately returned, followed shortly by yours truly. But the FG was playing magician, and disappeared into the brush. My human went to put me and Einstein into the house and Marvin headed for the lake, as that’s where it appeared the FG was heading. After we were sequestered, my human grabbed a fetch toy and headed for the lake too. Half way there she found the FG – sniffing bushes. She grabbed his line and headed toward the lake to find Marvin. They met and my human decided to let the FG go for a swim. She threw the bumper in the water and the retriever wannabe swam out to get it. And he came back. But slowly. My human tossed the toy again, and once more the FG came back – after a few stops to drop the toy in the water and to stare at it. And it was at that point that my human’s common sense went out the window. She reluctantly threw the toy a third time. And that’s when the FG decided that freestyle swimming away from shore was much more fun. Off he headed – leaving my human and Marvin on shore to watch in dismay. Thankfully he turned around at one point and headed back to shore. BUT he then discovered Paxton’s rock. It’s a large rock below the surface about 20 feet from shore. It’s the rock that Paxton would wade out to, to avoid us PONs. He didn’t like to swim. Just to sit on that safe rock. And now the FG found it. And he sat on it and wouldn’t move. And all the coaxing, begging and acrobatics by my human and Marvin on the shore could NOT get him to move. They even pretended to leave him there – and started walking on the trail back to the house. And the FG just sat there. My human whistled. And clapped. And the FG wouldn’t move. FINALLY she tossed a stitck close to shore and he came in close to grab it. But as soon as he realized her plan to grab his long line – he started heading back out away from the shore. It was at that point that my human had had enough. She jumped in, shoes and all and made a lunge for the line. Luckily she grabbed it. The fetch toy was still floating off shore, but she didn’t care. The FG was marched back to the house.

So Marvin got to witness the good Picard. And the regular Picard. I’m thinking he will be very happy to see his docile, well behaved Saint Bernard when he gets home today. Mind you, he does have a boxer puppy too…

Now. For those we were wondering if my human and Marvin were “an item” – I hate to disappoint, but no, they are NOT. Marvin, in fact, has a spouse who couldn’t come to visit because of work, but who agreed that Marvin should come up – as he and my human have been colleagues for many years. But having Marvin here has been great fun- and it got me thinking that maybe it’s time my human should get back into dating. It’s been a few years since the Hulk (remember the guy who we nearly dragged into a ditch while we were being dive bombed by a duck?). Anyway, I’m not really sure whatever happened there- my take is that he had lots of other “stuff” in his life, and so a long distance relationship with us just didn’t work out. Pity. He was a real pushover, er… softy when it came to us dogs. We went through more biscuits in a week while he was here than my human gives us in a month.

Apparently Facebook is going to start a dating service. Could be interesting. One thing I know for sure, ANY potential date would HAVE to like dogs. A LOT. And let’s face it, we are not just any dogs. This could make for some VERY interesting blogs….

Today we are having company for dinner. We have been instructed to be on our best behavior. Whatever that means. My human said some very nice humans are coming….and they are bringing their dog! A Picard! Stay tuned….

Have a good one. Peace and paws up!

Seizure free days: 84

More sitter drama.

August 12, 2018Leave a Comment

Day 3. My human got a text from a neighbor yesterday. The dog sitter locked herself out of the house. At least that’s the story that is being told. The truth? We locked her out. Just for fun. But not to worry – the neighbor had a key to the house.

And honestly, it’s not because we don’t like her. We are just making a point because we heard a rumor. We HEARD that my human stopped at some place called the Gaelic College. They have all kinds of Scottish things there – AND they specialize in tartans. They have material for probably almost every tartan ever created. Or they can get it. Probably from Tartans R Us. And they, of course sell tartan things in the gift shop. Like scarves, ties, shawls and of course, kilts. But GUESS what else they had. Oh happiest of days. Dog scarves. And because there is no MacViktor or MacFrodo and she didn’t see a McElroy, she reportedly decided that we should have provincial tartans. So Nova Scotia has a tartan – and so does Cape Breton – AND so does Quebec – the FG’s birthplace. They had actually run out of Cape Breton scarves and Quebec scarves – but oh-so-lucky for us – they MADE them while my human waited.

Now giving attire to us dogs is like giving a 5 year old clothing instead of a toy for Christmas. Seriously. She had better stop at our pet store and bring us some GOOD treats. She gets home today.

Wonder if this sitter will ever come back….

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 82

Bad feeling

August 11, 2018Leave a Comment

Day 2. Dog sitter still here. Hasn’t left us yet.

Remember how we asked – (or was it “demanded” ) guilt gifts while my human is away? Some nice edible sounvenirs of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia were what we had in mind.

She sent me this photo. We are not getting a good feeling…

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 81

She’s leaving us

August 9, 2018Leave a Comment

We are being abandoned. Somebody call Animal Control. OK. That is not exactly true. We are actually about to begin a three day party. My human and Marvin are leaving us to visit another area of the province- Cape Breton. Remember when Einstein and I got to go there LAST year? Well THIS year we didn’t get to go. My human said she couldn’t find rooms that take dogs. I think she lied.

But don’t worry. We like the dog sitter. Remember we met her a few weeks ago? We passed her interview. Wonder if the fact that my human offered danger pay had anything to do with it?

All I know is that there better be some guilt gifts. She actually bought us some new chew toys the other day. But I hope she’s not thinking that is enough.

I hear they make amazing human Oat Cakes in Cape Breton. We’ll take those – even though they are made for humans. Just saying.

Well, time to work on some sitter training. Good thing that treat jar is full….

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 79

More good behavior. No joke.

August 8, 2018Leave a Comment

Guess what we did yesterday? All three of us canines got to go for a run on the golf course. TOGETHER. As you know, handling the three of us off leash is actually a death wish for my human when she’s on her own. She can barely manage the three of us on leash to get us to the course and then rounding us up after is something she was just too afraid to attempt. She typically walks me and Einstein first each morning and then does a second walk with the FG on his own. But with our buddy Marvin visiting ( not his real name – his name has been changed to protect the innocent), my human has an extra set of hands to help out. Not to mention the fact that Einstein’s good morning wake up song probably woke him up.

Not only did we all run off leash, we all came when called. Really. This isn’t an April Fools joke. Yup we came back. Well -OK there WAS this SMALL incident with a bunny…. Where we ALL took off like we were shot out of a canon. I led the chase, followed by Einstein and the FG who didn’t even know why he was running. We all disappeared into the woods. Of course the first one who returned was Einstein. He didn’t want sticks and mud in HIS coat. Then after another minute, the FG emerged. Looking like he wasn’t even sure what had just transpired. They waited for me to come out. And waited. And called. But you know me and bunnies. I haven’t had a good chase in AGES. They continued with the walk and it was a few minutes later that yours truly emerged from the woods sporting some lovely sticks in my coat. My human just gave me “the look.”

Otherwise, the walk was pleasant and uneventful. No goose poop eating, and no swimming in any swampy areas. All was right with the world. And our walk was early enough that we beat the heat. Yesterday was another scorcher.

Today I see my human has her SUITCASE out. Now WHAT could that be about?!

Stay tuned.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 78

Our company

August 7, 2018Leave a Comment

Well our company arrived. He is an old colleague and friend of my human’s- and his family let him escape for a week to visit the wilds of Nova Scotia. And when I say “wilds” I’m not just referring coming to our house.

When he arrived, we were surprisingly well behaved. Sure we did the olfactory exam and Einstein sang the welcome song- with repeated verses- but overall we didn’t go too crazy. It might be because he is owned by two dogs at home – a Saint Bernard and a Boxer puppy- so he knows a bit about dog behavior. He knew how to prepare himself against the FG’s attempts to use him as a springboard, and he also knows how to wrestle with us without getting a bloody nose. He’s no dog novice.

Also unlike other novice dog visitors, he knows not to ply us with treats. Clearly he is not going to be so easy to train.

At one point, the FG did attempt to remodel our guests’s sandal. But my human saw the attempt and reminded him that we do not eat the clothing of guests. So I guess that means we can only eat hers.

So our first impression of our guest was good – and we think he probably had a good first impression of us. Let’s see how long we can keep up the good behavior act…

Have a good one. Peace and paws up!

Seizure free days : 77

The Web

August 6, 2018Leave a Comment

August 6. And on this day in 1991, a guy by the name of Tim Berners-Lee announced his idea for something called the World Wide Web. Kind of a clever idea…

Today the Web is an incredible source of information. It’s kind of like having a library, a bank, a shopping mall, a movie theatre, a doctor’s office, a sports stadium and a news source at your finger tips. All the time. It’s like an ever changing and growing encyclopedia of the world. And of course, a huge communication tool.

Want to figure out why your dog is shaking his head? Go to a reputable vet site on the Web and you can probably get an idea about what the problem is. That is NOT to say you should play veterinarian- but at 2AM it might make you feel better until you can get in to see your vet. It’s a relief to know your dog’s ears won’t fall off.

Want to find out how to tackle some canine behavioral issue.? Again there are lots of good sites on the Web. I support those that use treats. Lots of treats.

Want to know where you can buy the latest instruments of torture aka grooming supplies? Check out the Web. In fact you can shop for any dog related items in the Web. And here’s a cool site that reviews products:

https://technobark.com/

For people trying to adopt a rescue, there are plenty of good sites. You also have dog clubs, breed clubs and dog charities.

Where would we be without this thing called the Web? Your probably wouldn’t be reading a blog by a PON in Nova Scotia! Thanks Tim BL for a pretty darn good idea. Wish I would have thought of it. Mind you, I’m not a computer engineer…

Today our company arrives. Thank goodness- the cleaning frenzy is over. Now. We just need to train our guest about how much we like treats. It is going to be a busy week.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 76

The FG is growing up

August 5, 2018Leave a Comment

I think my puppy is growing up. That’s right. Something has happened to the FG. He is actually starting to behave like a mature dog. Mind you, Einstein and I are technically mature, so I guess this isn’t an issue of age. But something has happened to him…

On Friday morning, my human and Jackson ‘s human agreed to go for a walk. Einstein and I had gone with them the other day – the green feet day-,so this time it was the FG’s turn. My human prepared herself – she got his long line, a pocketful of treats and his fetch toy. She also put on her body armor. Just kidding. About the treats. Everybody knows the Picky Picard is not exactly a treat hound.

As they walked up the road, the FG spotted Jackson coming out of the fog. And in typical FG fashion, he turned himself inside out. It was everything my human could do to hold onto him. My human had visions of Labrador tail tufts being ripped out. She held on tight until they got to the golf course. Then she said a short prayer and let go of the long line. He raced over to Jackson, gave him the customary olfactory exam and then did something that shocked my human. He came back to her. He stood waiting for her to throw his fetch toy. She did and he raced out to get it . He came back 3/4 of the way, plopped down and waited for my human to come over and throw it again. She is an excellent retriever.

Anyway, the point is, the FG wanted to play with my human. Sure he was happy to see Jackson, but he was much more interested in my human. And he never took off. He swam and retrieved the fetch toy numerous times.

While some of you might be saying, “that’s no big deal” – I assure you, it IS.

Yesterday when my human’s sister came for a visit and we all bolted out the door, ordinarily an escape move like that would mean 20 minutes of trying the catch the FG. He ran around the parked car, my human called to him and he raced back into the house. Another shocking move.

I think the FG is truly starting to settle down. If he starts liking treats, I could be in real trouble!

Yesterday was put-the-house-back-in-order-after-painting day. Pretty boring stuff to us dogs. Not that we REALLY wanted to do much – it was too hot and muggy. I can’t remember heat like this is my lifetime. I don’t think I really like it.

Hopefully today will be a bit better. Paws crossed.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up.

Seizure free days: 75