Happy Boxing Day. The day when humans stand in line to get after-Christmas bargains and they can’t return anything that didn’t work out because it is now on sale and the stores won’t allow returns and when they CAN make a return, the thing they wanted is now gone.  Good times.  Again – another reason I am happy I am a dog.

Mind you – here in Nova Scotia, all the stores are closed.  Yup.  It’s like Christmas plus.  So you have to wait until the day AFTER Boxing Day to stand in line for the Boxing Day sales, etc. etc.  Go figure.  I’ll give it a pass.  Besides, the pet store never puts the GOOD dog toys on sale anyway.

We had a wonderful Christmas.  AND I got to be part of a smuggling operation on Christmas Eve.  I felt like a spy…

On Christmas Eve, my human and her mother and sister were going to church at 4:00.  And then they were going to my human’s mother’s apartment for dinner.  Which is all well and good – EXCEPT, yours truly needs to take his medication at 7AM and 7PM each day.  I haven’t talked about my health in quite a while – and I am happy to report, I have been seizure free for ALMOST 2 months!!  But I DO need to take my medication – which can be tricky at certain times.  So since they would be going to my human’s mother’s place around 5:30, and my human wasn’t going to drive BACK to our house to give me my pills – they decided I could come along for the party!  HOWEVER – my human’s mother’s apartment doesn’t allow pets…

When my human came to pick me up after church, it was raining out.  She told me I MUST poop and pee – IMMEDIATELY.  I figured something was happening, so I obliged – but of course, got wet in the process.  So my human brought me in, used the jet engine dryer to fluff me up, and adorned me with a festive collar and bow.  And we were off.

We parked in the underground parking and my human furtively glanced around as she went to get me out of the vehicle.  The coast was clear.  Check one.  So then we went to get in the elevator and we waited with baited breath when the doors opened.   EMPTY.  Check two.  I had no idea where I was going – all I knew was that I looked smashing and my human had a pocket full of treats in the event we ran into anyone.  We got off the elevator at the proper floor.  Again – no one waiting.  Check three.  Down the hall, and we were IN.  Phew.  Now to check the place out.  Hmmmm….look at those human snacks on the coffee table…they must be for me too.  Right?  Wrong.  My human kept a close eye on me – it would have kind of put a damper on things if I had decided to “mark” my arrival on this festive night somewhere in the apartment.  NOT that I do that EVER in the house – but she wasn’t taking any chances.  She’s been owned by lots of boy dogs…I wore a leash for the first part of the evening.

In Polish custom, humans share a wafer called Oplatek at the beginning of the Christmas eve meal.  Everyone shares with everyone else – and they wish each other health and good luck for the next year.  Yours truly even got a little piece.  Tasted like cardboard to me – but the thought is nice.  I behaved the rest of the evening and had a great time.  And no one saw me on the way OUT of the building either.  Mission accomplished.

On Christmas,  I was thrilled to see that Santa HAD left gifts for me after all!  Each of us got an elk antler (no wonder my human suggested I put that on the list – she must have spoken to Santa), I got two new retrieving toys, Frodo got a treat dispensing toy and Elroy got a new ball.  There was a moment of PONdemonium in the DFZ when we were crazily ripping wrapping paper – and Frodo and I got into a “tussle.”  I think it was the excitement of the moment.  My human broke up the growling brothers – who make more noise than anything and promptly evicted us from the DFZ.  Party over.  Seriously, my human has no sense of adventure.  Admittedly we WERE rolling on the floor right in front of the giant tree with all the glass ornaments.  I’m not pointing paws – but he started it.  I think.  Actually – Frodo and I were just preparing for BOXING Day.  That’s what WE thought it was all about.  Good thing Santa doesn’t come back for presents.  Does he?

My human prepared a turkey dinner for her sister and mother and we dogs got some treats.  We WERE sequestered during the meal as SOME of us stare at diners, and it can become a bit annoying.  Actually – we ALL do it. But we did behave AFTER the meal.

Today the plan is for a long walk. And I’d like to try out my retrieving toys.  And then another walk.  Maybe a nap.  Another walk.  Maybe a round of “find the bunny.”  You get the picture – a dog perfect day.

Have a good one – and no fighting at the Boxing Day sales.

I won’t write much as I DID get some presents from Santa after all – and I cannot WAIT to open them! The photo you see is us waiting for the OK to dive into these gifts.

I wish all of you a wonderful day – with tail wags and virtual licks from me to you.

Oh – and tomorrow I’ll tell you all about my Christmas Eve smuggling adventure.  Guess what my human was smuggling?  Me!!   Stay tuned!

Have a very Merry day!

Dear Santa.
I am sending this via e-mail as the chances of Canada Post delivering this on time NOW are about as good as the weather man forecasting the weather for 7 days from now.  Heck -24 hours from now.

So Santa, it’s time for MY ask.  But you know, I have started thinking – what do I REALLY need?  I have a roof over my head.  I have food.  The portions are never quite big enough in MY mind – but my human feels they are ample.  

I suppose I could ask for some extra treats – I mean who doesn’t like treats?  My human suggested I ask for antlers – not the horrid kind you have to wear from the Dollar Store, but the kind you chew.  Mind you, if given the chance – I WOULD chew those antlers from the Dollar store…

I have a bed.  Actually two.  The dog bed and the bed my human thinks is hers.  So I don’t need one of those.

I’m not asking for clothing.  Kind of like a 3 year old asking for attire.   Just isn’t high on the priority list.

Grooming supplies?  No thanks.  NO THANKS.

A puppy?  Got one of those this year.  Thanks.  He’s pretty cool.  But don’t tell him I said so – I don’t want it to go to his head.

A goat?  Not happening.  So why bother asking.  The three of us and a goat?  My human would have to be committed.

Opposable thumbs like a monkey would be nice so I could help my human with housework.  On second thought – scrap that idea.

Night vision goggles so I could see those bunnies better in the dark?  Nah – I can smell them.

Actually Santa, I looked at my ask from last year…and I hate to be boring – but I think it bears repeating….Is it plagiarism if I steal my own words?

I am asking for something for every person (and dog) who is reading this blog.  I ask that they share the joy and happiness that Christmas is all about.  A smile, a handshake, a phone call, a hug – realizing that Christmas ISN’T about the presents – but about those moments that you share with others.  Human OR canine.  OK. Cats too.  And ferrets.  And rabbits.  But not snakes. OK. Snakes too.  But just for today. Even porcupines.  But just don’t hug them.

Santa I ask for HEALTH, peace and happiness within the hearts of those reading this – even if just for a moment.   And that feeling of pure joy – that we dogs know ALL about.  That’s what I wish for.

On this day in 1823, the famous poem, A Visit from Saint Nicholas was first published.  The poem, also known as The Night Before Christmas was written by Clement Moore.   I decided to take Clement’s version – and modify it.  My apologies to Clement for my changes.  But I don’t think he would REALLY mind.  This goes out to all those canines and their humans who read my blog – and my apologies in advance for the many names I am missing!!!!!  I KNOW there are others – and please know that I appreciate each and every one of you – but I wanted to post this before Easter!!!  Here goes:

So I briefly mentioned Christmas movies the other day – and there is certainly NO shortage of them.  But I was curious about Christmas DOG movies.  How many would you guess?  5?  16?  27?   Well – this site shows that there are at LEAST 44!  http://www.imdb.com/list/ls063035576/  And we haven’t even seen most of them!  Time for some binge watching over the holidays.  I think I’ll start with #34.  Because the dog that appears to be the star looks PON-ish.  I’m pretty sure he’s/she’s a Bearded Collie – but still big and fuzzy.  And then there is #39.  A Benji story.  

My human’s first dog (as an adult) was a dog named Barney.  And he looked a bit like Benji.  

Barney came from the dog pound.  The pound had nicknamed him  “the biter.”  But my human was never one to back away from a challenge.  So she took “the biter” home.  And sure enough.  He bit her.  But they learned to live together, and with LOTS of training, Barney turned out to be a pretty good dog.  He DID have his naughty streaks, like the time he got into the garbage and took out the carcass of bones from a turkey, and hid it under the cushions in the living room sofa.  He was the kind of dog who didn’t EAT things he found – he would just hide them.  For “later.”  Barney lived to the grand old age of 17.5.  He and my human learned a lot from one another.

And speaking of naughty – GUESS who took off the other day?  Nope – not me.  Nope – not the FG.  It was VELCRO DOG.  And do you know why?  Retaliation for the Christmas bath.  Yup.  We were let out for a pee and TWO of us quickly obliged and raced back in the house.  But Velcro dog, who was all nice smelling and fluffy and clean – well he took off into the woods.  You could see the steam coming out of my human’s ears.  He wasn’t gone long – just long enough for her to go and put her coat on.  He came back with sticks in his coat – but luckily wasn’t muddy.  He just smirked at my human as he waltzed past her when she opened the door.    Wonder if Santa saw that – he’s probably pretty busy so Frodo may have gotten away with it.

Time to go and download some of those Christmas movies…  Let me know if you have a favorite.  Have a GREAT day!!!

December 21.  The first day of winter – and the longest NIGHT of the year.  Time for extra rounds of “find the bunny.”

Now as we all know, some of us canines are better suited to cold temperatures during these winter months.  Dogs with longer coats don’t seem to mind the cold  – but dogs like Italian Greyhounds and Dobermans may not exactly like the chilly temperatures.  They could definitely benefit from wearing a coat.  We have coats that we wear – more for rain than snow – although we do have the dreaded snowsuits to keep off the snowballs when the temperatures are right around freezing.  Actually, I don’t mind mine – it’s made of Gortex.  But Frodo is not so fond of his spandex version – although it DOES work!  If you look back at one of my old blogs – you can see our suits:  
http://viktorsviews.blogspot.ca/2014/11/vik-advisor-2.html

Anyway, with the start of winter – just for fun, here’s a little quiz with the names of some dog breeds that are said to be well-suited for the cold.  I’ve scrambled their names…

1.  taika
2.  kalsana talemaum
3.  nerbsee tounmain god
4.  whoc whoc
5.  tearg neyrpese
6.  seenkdoh
7.  zavsuk
8.  fewnandlound
9.  tains nearbdr
10. beatnit  retreir

There are certainly lots of others – that’s just a sampling.  How did you do?  Not sure?  The answers are below..

Well I had better get working on my letter.  Time is running out.  What’s the deadline?   I’m assuming Santa will still have all my requests  available.  I’d hate to wake up Christmas morning and have an “Out of Stock” message left in my stocking….

Have a good one!


Answers:
1.  Atika
2.  Alaskan Malamute
3.  Bernese Mountain Dog
4.  Chow Chow
5.  Great Pyrenees
6.  Keeshond
7.  Kuvasz
8.  Newfoundland
9.  Saint Bernard
10. Tibetan Terrier

So I was the first victim of the Christmas bath.  And I must say, I did look stunning when it was all over.

Dear Santa.
Time is running out and you will soon be here.  We are almost ready for your arrival – my human has purchased the turkey and she just ordered some kind of fancy Yule Log from the bakery.  It’s a bit of a tradition here.

In this section, I would like to outline my requests for everyone ELSE in the household.  I’ll get to my personal requests in the end.  My human wanted to dictate the requests – including mine.  I think that it is interesting that when parents help their kids write their letters to you, parents suggest certain items.  And there seems to be a direct co-relation with what you bring.  You must work closely with parents…

Anyway – here are MY requests for everyone else:

Frodo:
1.  A recording contract.  Might as well put those vocal cords to good use.  He is particularly enjoying singing along with my human to Christmas carols.  Perhaps that could be his first album…
2.  A bungee cord cutter.  Would make it easier on his teeth.
3.  Ear muffs.  To protect his ears from all the licking that I do to them.  And actually, the FG does too.
4.  Tail protector.  To protect his tail from the FG.  I’m not sure what it would look like – maybe a sock-type thing.  You’ll think of something.
5.  Treats.  He lives for them.
6.  A step stool so he wouldn’t have to do a balancing act while trying to  counter surf.
7.  A bigger dinner dish.  For larger portions.

Elroy:
1.  Balls.  Lots and lots of balls.
2.  His own carpet.  So he can do whatever he wants with it – and he’ll leave my human’s carpet alone. (see my requests for my human).
3.  More chew toys.  Although his insatiable chewing has slowed down – he still does get spurts where the legs to the table look appetizing.  
4.  More treat dispensing toys.  He uses 6 different versions  but might as well add to his collection. 
5.  Boots.  That’s a must.
6.  Treats.  It should be on every dog’s list.
7.  Obedience classes.  No need to elaborate…

My human:
1.  Pharmaceuticals.  She needs them because of us… stomach medicine, migraine pills.  Might as well stock her up.  
2.  Alcohol.  Yes – we sometimes drive her to drink.  Wine is number one here.  
3.  A new carpet for the dining room.  The FG has created his own “hole” pattern by pulling out circular spots in various places.  Time for a new one.
4.  French doors to the DFZ.  So she can take down the unsightly gate and bungee cords.  It will be great fun to remove our olfactory art from the glass panes…
5.  GPS tracking collars for each of us.  So she can keep track of us whenever we go out.
6.  One of those poop vacuum things.  Or some other device.  So her fingers won’t freeze.
7.  A tripod for her iPhone.  Since she takes SO many photos of us, she might as well try to get IN some of them with us.  Now wouldn’t THAT be a circus…

In my last section, I’ll outline my requests for ME….

Stay tuned….

HOLY MOLY it was cold here on Friday.  I mean REALLY cold. It was like -15 Celsius which is 5 Farenheit for my American friends.  With the wind chill it was like -100.  Ok maybe not THAT cold – but it was definitely a three dog night.  Ever hear that saying?  And no – I’m not referring to the rock band from the 60’s and 70’s.  I’m talking about an expression that is believed to have originated in either Australia or far north in North America. It refers to the fact that bushmen – or Aboriginal peoples would invite their dogs inside when it was cold – to keep the humans warm!  If it was cold, I guess it was a one dog night – but if it was REALLY cold, it was a three dog night.  The FG still sleeps in his crate at night – but Frodo and I were quite happy to cuddle with my human on HER bed that night. 

The FG LOVED the first big snowfall – which you saw in my photos.  But I’m here to tell you – he was not NEARLY as impressed when the temperatures dropped so low.  He walked in the snow and then just about fell over – his feet were so cold.  And he wasn’t even out for 1.6 minutes!  He knew he had to poop – and his poop trail routine is hard to do when you are trying to walk crouched over with three legs.  He kept picking his paws up and stared at my human for help.  She just said “Buddy I can’t do anything for you right now – just poop and get it over with.”  Which he did and he raced inside.  I think the boy definitely needs some boots.  Now THAT will be fun to watch.  He looks like Bambi on ice all the time anyway – so add some boots…get that video camera ready!!!

One week to Christmas.  I have to finish my letter….have a great day!!!

I can’t believe it – but I saw it with my own eyes – so it’s true.  The FG has figured out how to “find the bunny!!”  Well, it’s not REALLY a bunny anymore – it’s a simulated bunny.  Remember, I amputated the leg off the big bunny this summer.  And then my human had also bought us a small bunny when she was at Crufts.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) got just a LITTLE excited with that bunny and began to dissect his inner stuffing.  OK. I might as well confess – since Santa sees everything – so no point in telling a fib – it was me.  I get SO excited when I find the bunny and bring him back that I just can’t contain myself.  And the surgical craving just overcomes me.  So we can no longer play with that bunny.  Until my human sews him up.  Like THAT will ever happen.

Anyway, while she was at Crufts she ALSO bought this REAL rabbit fur ball thing that has a rope attached.  It looks nothing like a bunny, but my human has now named it the “bunny” so who am I to complain.  I just like playing the game.

And I get to play first.  While the FG and Frodo are sequestered behind a gate in the front hall.  But they can watch me play.  My human makes us wait, while she goes to another room or even downstairs, and she hides the bunny.  We have to wait patiently because IF we cheat and start coming before we are called, she simply takes us back to the “starting place” and we begin all over again.  I’m pretty good – I don’t usually cheat.  If she hides the bunny downstairs, she calls us to come down.  If the bunny is hidden somewhere on the main level, she comes back to us and tells us to “find the bunny.”  While I am playing, Frodo and the FG are making an incredible racket.  Frodo is the ringleader – he barks and screams.  And now the FG follows along.  After I get my 10 bunny finds, then it is Frodo’s turn – and my human puts me in the FG’s crate.  Then it’s my turn to scream bloody murder.  But we are all pretty clever with the screaming – we only do it when my human is out of sight.  As soon as she comes back, we are silent.  

After Frodo’s 10 bunny finds, it was the FG’s turn.  When he initially started playing this game a month or so ago, my human had to leash him to the crate while she went to “hide” the bunny (in plain sight in the other room) because he wouldn’t sit and stay.  But now, not only does he stay when she hides the bunny on the main level, but he’ll also stay when she goes downstairs!  AND he has figured out that he needs to use his nose to sniff out the bunny.  The neurons FINALLY fired and he has figured out the objective of the game.  And he consistently found the bunny. He still doesn’t bring the bunny back – so my human has to follow him while he is searching, because when he finds the bunny he figures it is his to destroy.  I think he got that idea from me.

But it sure is fun to see him start “thinking” about things a bit more. He has also learned that if you sit and stare at my human while she is eating, she will use one hand to pet you.  BUT, if you get too pushy, then no pets.  We dogs really do learn from one another.

Now if I can just train him to open that biscuit jar – he’s certainly tall enough…

Have a good one!!!