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It went by much too quickly – but our little vacation must come to an end today.  Not that my human didn’t TRY to see if they could keep our accommodations for ONE more night – but sadly the place was booked.  Great for tourism, bad for us.

But we had a marvelous day yesterday.  It began at 5.  Yes – we got my human up and 5.  No point in missing a good vacation day.  So she took us out for a LONG walk.  She started to take us out on a trail and when we began, we saw a warning sign about coyotes.  So we didn’t do that hike.  This is us with our sad faces.

Then of course, she had to take us around part of the resort instead.  And she made a BIG mistake – she didn’t bring enough treats.  So while we did sit and stay, we don’t look overjoyed in some of these shots.

The we drove all around the Cabot Trail and stopped numerous times for pee breaks.  And scenic photo shots.  She didn’t attempt to get us in all the scenic shots – as some are taken in rather precarious locations – and she didn’t REALLY want to be dragged over a cliff. 

As usual, the humans also did some “shopping” along the way – while we boys waited.  They went to craft stores, hooked rug shops…

AND my human almost bought this hat for herself – she figured it would be the perfect thing to get our attention when she is taking photos of us.  I say, stick to the treats.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more stories about our travels home… Did I ever mention we LOVE Cape Breton…and I’m wondering if we could do some tourism ads for them?  Hey wait a minute – I think we just did!

So we loaded up the rental van and away we went!  Our destination?   Cape Breton and the world famous Cabot Trail.  We loved our trip there last year – and clearly my human loves it too.

The only problem with the trip so far – is that we had some rain.  Now it wasn’t torrential downpours – just a shower here and there throughout the trip.  So the photo ops were put on hold. 

I must say, I was a brilliant traveler yesterday – once I was put in my crate, I never made a peep.  But Einstein – that’s another story.  As we all know, he does NOT like to be sequestered.  He has been known to chew holes in chain link fences,  no baby gate can hold him back – he just chews his way through – and if he is actually placed in a room and my human is on the other side of the door, he makes a BIG fuss and squeaks and moans.  So imagine the indignation when he had to go in a CRATE on this journey.  He panted and squeaked for the first 40 minutes – so much that my human had to stop to take him out.  He was FINE – it’s not like his bladder was about to explode- he just wanted out of the crate.  Ever see one of those cartoons where an animal spreads all four legs to avoid going through a door.  That was Einstein when he had to get back in.  But of course, my human won.  And the squeaking continued.  And then, suddenly it stopped.  Completely.  For a LONG time.  And then all the passengers realized when it stopped.  When the showers started, the squeaking stopped.  You see, although Einstein hates being crated, the other option would be to go out in the rain.  He HEARD the rain.  And we KNOW how much he loves rain.  I think my human needs to get a recording of rain to play whenever he has to travel in a crate…

We arrived at our cabin at the Keltic Lodge – and as you can see, we made ourselves right at home.  In this photo, my human’s sister had just told Einstein that the couch did not have his name on it. 

All that time my human spent grooming us before the trip was clearly well spent.  We look a MESS.  I TOLD her not to bother grooming us….But did she listen???

Tomorrow we hit the trail again and the weather is calling for sunnier skies.  So we’ll hopefully have some photos to share.  Last year, my human posted our photo to the Keltic Lodge FB page and THEY re-posted it.  So you KNOW my human will try to get some adorable shot to send in again.  Hope she brought some awesome treats…

Stay tuned!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   We are going on a ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!  My human, her sister and her mother are going SOMEWHERE in Nova Scotia and we PONs are going along too.  As you may recall, my human’s mother was in the hospital back in April.  According to doctors, she is a sick lady – but according to her – she feels just fine.  So as long as she feels just fine, why not enjoy that time – and take a ROAD TRIP!!!!   And sometimes it pays to be a dog with special needs.  With my recent seizures, my human thought it best to take me along – and Einstein gets to come too.  And Elroy gets to enjoy time at Camp Glenda.  So this should be easy, right?!   But of COURSE, nothing is ever easy with me…

Yesterday morning as my human was getting ready for her last day at work for the week – since we leave TODAY – she noticed I was limping.  BADLY limping. I would not weight bear on my front leg.  AT ALL.  She tried to look at my paw and I pulled away – so she whisked me onto the grooming table aka surgical table.  I was NOT impressed – but I let her touch my paw.  And she felt something.  Something sharp.  She thought it was a thorn from one of the rose bushes – so she went to get pliers to pull it out.  WARNING: Stop here if you don’t like gross stuff.  Anyway – it looked to be less than a 1/4 inch long.  But she pulled and was SHOCKED to pull out a one inch long PORCUPINE quill.  And right next to it was another.  JUST AS LONG.  No WONDER I was limping.  Mind you – I met Mr. Needles on Monday morning at 1 AM and up until yesterday morning I was NOT limping.  GO figure.  My human carefully checked to see if there were more – but she couldn’t find any.  Still – she quickly made a Vet appointment for yesterday afternoon for me to be checked out – as the paw was red and had a bump where the needles came out.

Overall, I was pretty good at the Vet’s.  OK – I did get a BIT dramatic, but it’s not like they needed to sedate me!  The Vet didn’t THINK I have any more quills – but it IS possible one is still in my paw.  Right now it is VERY sore – and it appears like there is some infection starting – perhaps due to my licking?  Anyway, I got some medication for my pain and for the infection.  I’m just happy to know I still get to go on this road trip!  Besides – my human’s mother would have missed her favorite grand-dog if I didn’t come.

Now.  I wonder where we are going…

OK.  So SOMETHING is going on.  Last night, my human took the FG in the car.  AND HE DIDN’T RETURN!!!!   Now I was just starting to like the guy!!  My human returned  and looked at us and said he has gone to Aunt Glenda’s for a few days.  SERIOUSLY?!  He gets to go to Camp Glenda with all her Bernese Mountain Dogs and horses, and cats and other wildlife?!   Who decided THIS plan?  Apparently he will be there until SUNDAY.  My human said the “socializing” will be good for him.  That’s a bunch of bunny balls.  He’s probably THE most sociable of all of us.  Look at how many neighbor’s have almost had their teeth knocked out by Mr. Joyful-to-see-you.

And then, after she got back, she pulled out a SUITCASE.  Which is doubly odd.  Because IF she is going somewhere – AND we are having a dog sitter – why couldn’t the FG stay here?????  OK – so admittedly if my human had to get a sitter for all THREE of us – she would likely have to pay danger pay – but come on – we did it last Fall.  Mind you….we never did hear from that sitter again.  She SAID she would send her calendar of when she is available…but mysteriously…she never got back to us….

So we’ll just SEE what happens tomorrow…

On this day in 1955, a game show debuted on American TV.  It was called the $64,000 Question. It was a trivia type game show where contestants chose a category and had to answer increasingly difficult questions.  As I understand it, if they missed a question, they lost what they had won until that point.  They started at $64 and the amounts increased with each question.  I guess there was some kind of scandal with the way questions were asked – and after several years on the air – and several spin off shows, it was finally cancelled.  The common phrase “Now that’s the $64,000 question became a catch phrase for difficult situations and problems.

So let’s play our own version – using the dollar values that they used – but before you start – there is NO real prize money if you get these correct.  Just sayin.  They will start easy and get more difficult…

$64  What breed of dog is Elroy?
a.  Great Pyrenese
b.  Irish Wolfhound
c.  Berger Picard
d.  Coyote

$128  What is the country of origin for the Australian Shepherd?
a.  USA
b.  New Zealand
c.  Australia
d.  Africa  

$256  This breed of dog is a large, water-loving dog who hails from Canada. His long, thick coat is black, brown, or black and white (which is called a Landseer).
a.  Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
b.  Newfoundland
c.  Mastiff
d.  Leonberger

$512   The treeing Walker coonhound is from the USA and its job is to chase prey up trees so human s can catch it.   It is tan and white in coloring with long floppy ears. But it’s not the only type of coonhound; There are five other types of coonhound breed.  Which of the coonhounds listed below ISN’T an actual breed?

$2000  Your dog was bitten on the pinna. What hurts? 
a.  tail
b.  leg
c.  nose
d.  ear 

   $4000  Found primarily in small breeds, but also in a few larger breeds such as the flat-coated retriever, this skeletal abnormality is also known as “slipping kneecaps.”

c.   Yes, but it is a much lower score 
d.   Maybe

$16000  This amazing dog was originally created around the 1500s to hunt puffins in the tiny caves along the cliffs. Amazingly flexible, he can bend his head entirely backwards, touching the top of his head to his back. He also has at least six toes on each foot, and has the ability to close his ears to keep water out.
a.  Finnish Spitz

$32000  In 1925, which Siberian Husky traveled through -70 degree temperatures, near whiteout conditions, and gale force winds for 91 miles to relay serum for use in combating a diptheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska? 

b.  Togo

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b.  Spontaneously saved at least one sailor from drowning.   

We dodged a bullet.  A prickly bullet.  And I wonder if the neighbors heard my human scream…

So I wrote yesterday about my seizures.  And if two wasn’t enough – I had ANOTHER one at 1 AM yesterday morning.  Which has my human worried, puzzled and again studying for her internet veterinary degree. What has she learned?  One of the meds I am taking can cause one of the side effects I am having – even after being on the drug for some time.  She also learned that it is NOT uncommon for seizures to appear after a period without them.  And she also learned that some essential oils can REPORTEDLY trigger seizures in some dogs.  Two of the listed oils are eucalyptus and rosemary.  Look familiar?  Yup I listed them in the ingredients in the “all natural” tick repellent she has sprayed on us.  Coincidence?  Possibly.  But it did necessitate a quick bath before she went to work yesterday.  I’m sure the amount of oils in the repellent are not high – but who knows.  Better safe than sorry.  No more spray for me – and I think Frodo will be having a bath as well.  The FG swam on Sunday morning – so he no longer smells like potpourri.

Anyway, after I had my 1 AM seizure, my human went to take me out.  I was on a leash, and for SOME reason, instead of just walking near the house, she decided to walk up the driveway – because she had put on her headlamp.  And we were walking and I suddenly stopped to sniff something in the bushes.  My human shone the light in my direction and screamed when she realized what I was sniffing.  A PORCUPINE!!!!!!  She nearly toppled over backward pulling me away as Mr. Needles rustled off into the brush.  She felt all over my face to make sure I had no needles in me.  Now wouldn’t THAT have made an already bad situation even WORSE?!

We came back home and I quickly went to sleep – AFTER I had something to eat.  When I have one of these things I become ravenous – even MORE than I normally am.  If you can imagine that.

So keep your fingers crossed that we get this under control again.  I’m generally a positive kind of guy – so I think we will.  And a few prayers wouldn’t hurt either…One thing I know for sure – SOMEBODY up there was looking over me when I met Mr. Needles…

Have a good one.

Back to the drawing board.  I haven’t posted about my health for quite a while.  I did have a seizure or two back in March – so my Vet decided I needed another seizure medication – which I started at the beginning of April.  I had a seizure at the end of April – but none since – so I human was over the moon because I finally went for over a month without one.  But space ships come back from the moon  – and Saturday morning, I had a seizure.  And I had one Sunday night.  A goal of one seizure or less a month is what we have been striving for.  But….I have also had some side effects from my medications – so my human had taken me in for blood work last Thursday – even before I had the first seizure.   So now we are waiting to see what my blood work looks like, and I may be going on a new drug.  It is very much a balancing act.  Otherwise, I am in great form.  My energy is the same, my appetite is fantastic, all systems are working just great – and the seizures have not changed – they are no longer in duration, and after they are over, I return to my normal, crazy self.  I was very good at the Vet, but I did get a BIT dramatic when they put a bit of solution on my leg – BEFORE they even put in the needle to draw blood.  Einstein, the real drama dog, told me how to do it.  It’s a great way to get extra treats.  But they did realize I was being dramatic – because I didn’t make a PEEP when they actually put the needle in.  So now we wait for all the results…

In other news, my human has lost her mind.  Yup.  She has LOST it.  She decided she could no longer stand the sight (or aroma) of that area carpet in the dining room – so OUT it went.  She put us on the deck while she rolled up the massive thing and dragged it out to the garage.  She was going to take it to the dump – but couldn’t fit the thing in Ludwig – so it will have to wait until garbage day.  She scrubbed the floor, waited for it to dry and rolled out the new carpet.  The FG was the first one to run in from the deck.  He raced around the dining room table – and although he has never peed in the house, my human had this momentary fear that he was going to christen the new carpet.  She whisked us all outside and then let us back in.  She watched the FG like a hawk to see his reaction to the new carpet.  He looked in earnest for the holes he had so painstakingly created in the OLD carpet.  Gone.  He rubbed his face in the new one and stared at it – wondering how to start a NEW hole.  He didn’t ATTEMPT it – because my human was standing RIGHT next to him.  But I know him – if left alone, he WILL start it off.  So he will have to be watched whenever he is loose in the room.  THIS will be interesting.

It’s Monday.  The start of a new week.  And I understand SOMETHING may be happening at the END of the week.  Stay tuned!

Have a good one.

We smell.  Really.  My human, in her desperate attempt to protect us from the dreaded ticks has turned to an all natural protect – made here in Nova Scotia.  It’s a combination of things including witch hazel, rose geranium, citronella, lavender, cedar, rosemary and eucalyptus.  We smell like either something you should cook or use as a cleaning product.  When my human sprays it on us, she is obviously careful not to get any in our eyes, mouth or nose.  But we still sneeze when she puts it on.  Then to make us smell even better, we have been taking these garlic tablets, formulated specially for dogs.   So while our coat smells somewhat appealing (which is open to opinion), our breath smells horrid.  Not only are we capable of repelling ticks, no other living organism will come near us.  So far, though, it seems to be working – we have had no new vagabonds – even after our travels into the woods the other night.  Wonder if we could be hired to do commercials.  I can see it now – the three musketeers posing as the anti-tick poster dogs.  But knowing humans in this world, there is PROBABLY some entomology advocacy group trying to “save the ticks”.   And we’ll have protesters picketing outside our house.  You know humans – somewhere out there, there is probably a tick fan club.  Humans are so odd.

Well it’s nice to see our human not having to do any WORK this weekend.  HOWEVER, she did mention that she would now have time for some GROOMING.  Excuse me while I go and hide.

Have a good one!

OK.  We went over the line.  I must confess, we were very bad yesterday – and we went SO far as to make our human cry.  You all know that we can be a little naughty at times.  OK – a lot naughty.  And she is able to put up with our antics.  But yesterday she completed her intensive time at work.  From what I gather from eavesdropping on her phone calls, her work is very rewarding – but sometimes a tad mentally and physically draining.  So here she comes home exhausted after wrapping up 4.5 weeks of work, and instead of welcoming her and being all happy for her…well I hate to confess this – but we all took off.  First I spotted a bunny when she let me and Einstein out.   And I was gone.  So much for the New Year’s resolution.  I was off into the woods.  She could hear me barking in pursuit in the distance.  And THEN Einstein followed me.  The dog who doesn’t like to get messy.  So she shouted and reminded us we hadn’t had supper.  Didn’t matter.  So she was down two PONs.  The FG was safely secured in the fenced run on the side of the house.  So she went to get him.  BUT – she was SO tired, she left the screen door unlatched..He raced through the garage and was OUT the door.  He came into the woods looking for us.  So now she was down three dogs.  

Long story short, she rather dramatically sobbed as she prepared to head down the trail to the lake to find us.  Einstein and I actually returned before she hit the trail.  She put us in the house, and then spent probably 15 minutes chasing the FG.  Every time she was close to him – he bolted.  And my human trudged sadly along.   I might add that in addition to being totally exhausted, she is sporting a dark purple finger – from slamming it in the front door the night before – when going to take one of us out for our nightly pee.  

She finally gave up chasing the FG – who actually followed her back to the house – in the woods just out of sight.  He lay down 10 feet from the front door.  Of course when she went to get him, he bolted AGAIN. He eventually came in when she opened the front door.  

The remainder of the night, we were ALL very well behaved.  I didn’t style Einstein’s hair and the FG didn’t destroy the carpet.  We all knew we crossed the line.  And you know, we weren’t REALLY trying to be bad – we were just celebrating the fact that she is finished her work – for now- and she has a bit of a break.  We just rejoiced by going for a joy run.  That’s what we’ll call it…

Today we let her sleep in.  Until 5:30.  We figured she needed some sleep.  And she was all happy and relaxed when she got up.  It’s a new day.

We MAY be well behaved today.  But no guarantees.  I mean, we DO have a blog to write.

Have a good one.

Well, well. It’s June 1 – and it’s New Year’s Resolution Recommitment Day.  What does the fact that they have such a day tell us about humans and their ability to hold fast to their resolutions?

I looked back at my resolutions, and I’m doing OK….  For example, I vowed not to take off in the woods after bunnies.  And I haven’t been doing it.  Much.  Yesterday morning there was a bunny on the lawn when we went out for our last pee before my human left for work.  I was on a leash – and Einstein was free.  Good thing I was on the leash.  Einstein took off – but of course he only chases bunnies as far as the lawn goes – he doesn’t want to go off into the woods and mess up his hair.  I would have been G-O-N-E.

I also vowed to be nicer to the FG.  And I AM being nicer.  I still don’t exactly PLAY with hm – but we can lie right next to each other and chew bones – and it’s fine with me.  He also sometimes barks right in my face, in an attempt to get me to play – and I no longer scowl at him.  I just look at him and roll my eyes. I really don’t mind him – although I’m still not so sure about sharing my human’s bed with him – when he is let out of his crate at night – 4 years from now.

I have been bugging my human for more walks – in an attempt to help her get rid of the Halloween candy she is still sporting around her waist.  From 2015.  That was one of my resolutions too.  I bug her every chance I get.  Even at 2:30 AM.  I’m a thoughtful guy – and concerned for her health.  I know she appreciates my concern. 

I guess if I were to make a new resolution for the remainder of 2017 – it would be to stop our linen destruction.  My human discovered when she was making her bed yesterday morning, that someone had AGAIN chewed on of the pillowcases while she was in the bathroom.  She is JUST about out of pillowcases.  But let’s just be clear – Einstein also helps in this project.  So I’ll have to get him to commit to the resolution too.

Anyway, good luck with Recommitment Day.  You still have half a year – there is still time to reach your goals – so get to it!

Have a good one!