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Phew.  Day two is over.  And I need a vacation.  I thought I had energy.  Holy moly. Elroy AKA Jaws is giving ME a run for my money.  And oh my – he is SMART.

He slept well his first night here.  He squeaked at 3:30 in the morning and my human took him out for a pee while Frodo and I guarded the door and welcomed him back in.  At which point he thought it was party time.  We did too.  But he was put back in his crate, the lights went out and the party was over.  Humans.  No sense of spontaneity.

Yesterday morning he had a walk around half the property and got his first view of the lake. I have a feeling he is going to love it.  

He clearly loves water.  In fact, this water bowl thing is QUITE a challenge.  The bowl is filled, and Jaws immediately empties it – by putting two paws in and splashing it all out.  Then Frodo has to tiptoe around the floor so he doesn’t get his feet wet.  

Oh and as for keeping him “sequestered” – well FORGET gates.  He is one clever guy.  My human had a gate propped against the front screen door.  It works for me and Frodo.  But not Jaws.  My human had it blocked off and the next thing she knew – she looked up and saw him standing OUTSIDE the screen door.  He managed to wiggle past the gate and push the screen door open.  He seemed pretty darn proud of himself – standing there wagging his tail.  A new system will have to be designed.

Frodo likes to try and play with him.  

I initially ignored him but yesterday gave him a sniff.  And THAT’S when we decided to play chase.  IN the dining room.  Around the dining room table.  And into the hall and around the table.  And again, because humans have no sense of spontaneity, the game was quickly stopped after two rounds as my human had visions of someone getting hurt. She needs to chill out.  Later in the day I decided to ignore him again.  In fact, I decided the whole concept of a puppy was just too much for me to take.  So the first chance I got to chase a rabbit – well – I took it.  I was gone for about 15 minutes.  But then I decided I SHOULD go back.  My human thinks I will adjust but it clearly may take more than 24 hours.  Here is a photo of me sitting alone and feeling sorry for myself that I am no longer the baby of the household. 

I must say, that crate is a good thing – which comes in handy at night – and when Jaws needs a little bit of down time.  Because Jaws has no “off” switch.  And the attention span of a gnat.  “Oh – I think I’ll have a drink.  Wait – what is that toy?  Look this carpet looks good enough to eat.  That PON has a cool shaggy tail.  I think I’ll have a drink.  What was that noise?”  And that’s in a 20 second span of time.  

It was yesterday that my human realized something.  Elroy is the reincarnation of one big fuzzy tri-colored dog.  Really.   She went back to read a story that she wrote 7 years ago – when Paxton was a puppy.  And there are remarkable similarities. I do not think it is coincidence.  He’s back.  And we’re glad he is. Well Frodo is.  And I must confess, I am too….or I will be soon enough…

Well he has arrived.  And by all reports, he is an excellent traveler.  My human said that when they would stop for a pee break, people would ask what kind of dog he is.  One woman thought he was an Irish Wolfhound.  Looks like she has lots of educating to do.  When she says “Berger Picard” most people look at her with a strange look.  Mind you, she gets that same look when she says PON!

So he arrived late yesterday afternoon after a second long day of travel.  We were SUPER excited to meet him – check out the signs the hulk put up on the garage door.  

My human knew we would be crazy to see her – so she came in to greet us first and left Elroy outside with the Hulk.  She gave us hugs and told us to wait in the other room – that she wanted us to be CAREFUL in meeting Elroy.  So she sequestered us in the bedroom and brought him in – and put him in his crate.  Then she let us in to meet him.  We were VERY, VERY curious – our tails just about wagged off.  And Frodo barked.  Incessantly.  

When we finally calmed down, she let Elroy out.  Well.  Let me tell you, I’m not sure what to call him.  Jaws or Brave Heart.  He came out of that crate like we were long lost friends.  He was totally unafraid and quickly tried to demonstrate how well his sharp teeth work!   He and Frodo IMMEDIATELY began playing.  I, on the other hand did not know what to make of him.  I mean I have wanted a puppy forever – and here he was.  But honestly, I was more interested in the toys that were in his crate.

My human decided to take us outside – with Jaws on a leash.  Frodo kept trying to play with him and it wasn’t 3 minutes before he had a mouthful of Frodo hair.  And that’s when I decided to show him how FAST I can run in circles.  Racing round him – just out of reach of those teeth.  

Within minutes, everyone was huffing and puffing – and my human didn’t want ANYONE getting overheated.  So back we went inside.  And that’s when Jaws did something that MORTIFIED us PONs.  He splashed all the water out of the water bowl.  It was like he wanted to swim in it.  Frodo and I just stared at him.  My human had to put him in his crate because he and Frodo would not leave each other alone.  And when he was in his crate – totally exhausted, he was squeaking for Frodo and Frodo was squeaking for him.  I swear Frodo was trying to figure out how to get him out of that crate.

Once I figure him out, I’m sure we are going to have a GREAT time together.  One thing I am happy about – he has already learned how to stick his tongue out at the puparazzi!

Stay tuned for more adventures.  I KNOW  they will be good!

Drum roll please….Introducing my new little “brother” …..Elroy!!!!! No, he is not a PON.   My human said that grooming three PONs would result in her demise.  She just could not fathom it.  She knows that some people do it – she worships the ground they walk on.  But she just couldn’t do it.

And no – Elroy is not a Berner.  That’s a long story – and a hard decision – but my human decided the longevity problem in Berners was just too hard.  So much as she adored the four she was owned by, she just couldn’t get another.

So WHAT is Elroy – some may be wondering. He is a Berger Picard. A herding breed that originated in France.  Here is a photo of Elroy’s mother – the one in the front and a boy Picard in the background.

My human and her friend Glenda picked up Elroy yesterday and they have started their journey home.  My human called and warned us that he is VERY cute and very sweet – but he has “sharknado” moments.  He likes to bite and chew – which puppies do. And he reportedly has very sharp teeth.  I cannot wait to meet him later today!!! Here are a few more photos.  The poor thing has already been exposed to the puparazzi routine.

Let the games begin!!!!! And we are starting a new chapter in our lives and a creating a new place in our hearts.

So we had quite the party yesterday after my human left.  The Hulk is such a softy when it comes to giving us treats.  Mission accomplished – treat jar half empty.

Today my human picks up my new puppy.  She has driven to some place called Quebec.  People speak French there. I wonder if my puppy barks in French…

Well my human is on her way.  And we will wait in anticipation.   While we party all weekend long.  Drinking beer.  Chasing rabbits.  Playing cards.  Eating treats.  Chasing rabbits.  Eating treats. Hanging out on the sofa in the former DFZ.  And planning how I am going to train my puppy.

Change is coming.  A big change.  First though, we have a change which may seem small to others – but it has been difficult change for my human.

I’ve been writing my blog for almost 2 years now.  And in my blog introduction, there is a tag line.  And in that tag line is Paxton.  Paxton was always a huge part of my blog. And a huge part of my life. 

He was fondly called “Bucket Head” and he was an amazing character who added so many stories to my blog – and so much joy to our lives.  I drove him crazy.   But I know he loved me.  And I loved him.   When Paxton went to the Rainbow Bridge, my human could not bring herself to remove him from that tag line. I mean he’s gone – but he’ll never REALLY be gone.   He is still with us.  We feel him. 

But my human has waited and waited to know what to do about that tag line.   It’s not a big deal.   But she feels it’s time for a change…      

And with that change will come a new addition to that tag line.  My human has packed a bag.  AND she has rented a vehicle.  She is going somewhere that she thinks is too far for Harold. The Hulk has NOT packed a bag SO it looks like it is going to be a boy’s weekend here.  P-A-R-T-Y.   

And when my human returns, I will begin a whole new chapter in my blog.   I am SO excited.  Time for the big reveal.  I am getting a…………………BUNNY.   Just kidding.   I am getting a PUPPY!!!!!!!!!!  My very own puppy!!!!!!!!   But now you have to wait to see what KIND of puppy.  

This new addition will never, ever be a replacement for Paxton.  No one could EVER fill those paw prints.  He was ONE of a kind.  A very, very special one.  But I know my puppy will no doubt be the source of all kinds of new stories.  And I will teach him EVERYTHING I know…. Just like Paxton did with me…

Get ready for the big change. Stay tuned!

 

On this day in 1858, humans began using fingerprints as a way to identify people.  Humans all have unique fingerprints.  But for us dogs, it’s nose prints.  Just as no two human fingerprints are the same, no two nose prints are identical.  So my human is able to identify exactly who left the olfactory art on the deck doors.  While staring at a bird on the lawn.

The Canadian Kennel Club has been accepting nose prints  as proof of identity since 1938.  I’m not sure exactly how many people do it – as most people seem to use tattoos or microchips.  I have a chip.  So I guess that means I will beep if I go through security at the airport.   

And speaking of being nosy…my human went to buy our dog food at the gourmet dog food place.  And she came home with a big bag.  But she ALSO came home with a DIFFERENT kind of food.  I thought she was just switching our food.  But she didn’t give us any.  Maybe she is saving it for some special occasion?  And there was something ELSE in the bag – but she didn’t show it to us.  I started thinking…do you THINK I could be getting a PUPPY?!  I have wanted a puppy FOREVER.  Or at least a couple of months.  Anyway, she’s not saying anything yet.  This is worse than waiting for the rabbit to appear.

Have a good one.

July 27. Today is Bagpipe Appreciation Day.  And living in Nova Scotia it’s not hard to find a bagpipe player.  If one is looking for one.

Now some dogs are not too fond of the sound of the pipes.  And some dogs actually like to sing along.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJBgSsVyQns

I don’t REALLY mind the sound.  To me, it’s kind of like the sound of an angry cat.  When I am chasing him.  Music to my ears.

Not everyone has the access to the pipes that we do here in Nova Scotia.  My human really likes them.  So allow me to share a bagpipe song with you that I THINK even those who don’t care for the pipes will enjoy.  Sit back, and enjoy this motivational rendition – straight from Scotland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOO5qRjVFLw

Have a great day!  Oh.  And three more sleeps until my human tells me WHAT is going on.  I can’t WAIT!  I just hope it’s not that she is going to take bagpipe lessons…

Sometimes the best laid plans don’t always work out the way you think.

So my human has this very, very old clock.  It’s called a steeple clock and it is on the mantle in the room formerly referred to as the DFZ.  I say formerly because Velcro dog and I wander in there whenever we want, WHEN my human is home.  She still has a baby gate haphazardly propped against the entrance – but let’s face it – we don’t care.  Now mind you, Velcro dog was nearly evicted the other day when he started to dig on the cushion seat of one of the wingback chairs.  That’s pushing things a bit.  Just do it when she isn’t watching.

Anyway, my human has this old clock, which is SO old you have to wind it to make it work.  Can you imagine?! My human actually remembers WATCHES that you had to wind.  She really is old.  But back to the clock.

My human hasn’t wound that clock since…well Velcro dog has never seen it wound.  So it’s been YEARS.  And for some odd reason, she decided to try it out yesterday.  It has a melodic tick-tick-tick as the pendulum sways back and forth.  And it ALSO chimes.  Every hour.  Which seemed fine.  Until Velcro dog decided he needed to alert my human to the sound.  Every hour.  EVERY hour.  Even in the middle of the night.  He just runs and barks and stares at it.

So until this clock winds down, or until Velcro dog gets used to the chime, we will be reminded of the time.  Every hour.

Never a dull moment.  As the clock counts down the minutes until my big surprise.  I can’t WAIT.  Now to figure out what I’m waiting for…

Have a good one!

July 25.  Today is National Carousel Day.  A day to celebrate those historic amusement rides that date back to the time of knights and jousting.  According to some sources, in medieval times, knights on horseback would ride in circles, tossing balls to one another.  This required coordination and good riding skills.  Somehow, this game was imitated by commoners – and low and behold, eventually became a mechanized device for children.  Some of the early versions had wooden horses hanging on chains, which were powered by animals walking in circles or people turning a crank.

By the mid-19th century, carousels with wooden platforms were common at fairs in England, and by the late 19th century,  a carousel industry had developed in the US.   Immigrant craftsmen from Europe carved intricate animals and the “Golden Age” of carousels peaked in the early 20th century.

Over the years, with the advent of more modern and “exciting” amusement park rides, carousels in many places began to fall into disrepair.  But in probably the last 40 years, people have begun to appreciate the art and intricacies of these wonderful pieces of history.  Many existing structures have been restored.  

My human has always been fascinated by these whirling wonders.  Perhaps because her father was a woodcarver, and perhaps because one of the early factories, the  Herschell Company was located in North Tonawanda, NY – not far from Buffalo where she grew up.  You can visit the actual factory today – which is a museum.

So what does this have to do with DOGS you may be asking.  Well in addition to horses – which are obviously the most common animals on carousels, other animals were used including lions and tigers and bears.  Oh my.   AND dogs.  But reportedly, of the more than 50,000 carousel figures carved, less than fifty were dogs!  Which makes them quite rare.  And quite valuable.  In 1992, the highest price paid for a carousel animal at auction was for a Saint Bernard figure that sold for a whopping $174,000.  

In researching this topic, I found someone who actually carves dog carousel figures.  Check him out:  
http://www.timracer.com/index.html
I don’t see a PON in the list of dogs he has done.  I think I would be a fitting subject.  And my carving could be put on a carousel.  Right behind the figure of a rabbit.   Perfect.

Have a happy Monday!