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So my human has been very busy at work lately, working long hours.  This happens for about two months every year.  But luckily for us, her friend and our best buddy comes to stay with us, so we still get plenty of walks, attention and TREATS.  He’s a bug guy – about 6’4″ and I call him the Hulk.  He goes to the gym every day and works out.  I mention this physical description, because it is key in this story…

On Tuesday, the Hulk took Velcro dog and I out for our afternoon walk.  He does this every day.  We meandered up our long driveway, and crossed the road.  It was a beautiful day.  We walked along the side of the road, as there are cars going to the golf course down the road.  As we walked along  I started to pull to go into the ditch.  I was pretty intent on going down there – on a leash of course.   Velcro dog suddenly decided he wanted to go down there too.  And that’s when all heck broke loose.

Guess who was down in the weeds and brush on the side of the road?  The duck.  And although I didn’t see them, I assume her ducklings were with her.  I didn’t get to SEE the ducklings because momma duck went CRAZY flying at us.  Just like the other day.  I think she remembered me.  In fact, I’m SURE she did.  She flew up, flapped her wings and started quacking at us.  Which sent me (and Velcro dog) into a FRENZY.  An absolute FRENZY.

I’m sure I’ve talked about this before – but I can’t resist mentioning it again.  Velcro dog really is unique. It is so hard to believe we are related.  He has a totally different view of comfort than yours truly.  For me, the definition of comfort is lying curled up on my human’s bed.  On her pillow, if possible.  I will jump up on any easy chair I can.  I like to relax in a cushy, soft spot.

Not Velcro dog.  He goes out of his way to find cramped spots, and he is obsessive about resting his head on a hard surface in some contorted position.  Chair legs are a favorite.  And he can fall asleep anywhere. I  just don’t get it.  When I hear the saying “between a rock and a hard place,”   I think of Frodo.

And did I mention, he also has a interesting sense of style…

 You just have to admire his uniqueness!

Oh.  And on another note – you know how they say elephants never forget?  Well apparently, neither do ducks….  Read tomorrow’s blog to find out what happens in Duck Herding Part II…

Have a good one.

Summer is officially here.  And yesterday was the LONGEST day of the year.  Although my human had to go to work, she got up extra early and we got to go for another walk with Jackson. And for some ODD reason, I was not allowed OFF  leash.  Velcro dog, on the other hand, roamed freely.

Today is World Handshake Day.  It is supposed to be a day to promote unity between humans.  Heaven knows they could use some unity these days.

I’m not sure if shaking paws counts today, but it really should. Personally, I’m not a HUGE paw shaker.  Neither is Velcro dog.  Neither of us is crazy about people touching our feet – so the whole paw shake thing is tough.  Pet my head,  scratch my belly, rub my ears – it’s all good.  Touch my feet and my feet shrivel back like the feet of the Wicked Witch of the East in the Wizard of Oz when  the ruby slippers are removed.   And cutting my nails.  Well I’m not QUITE as bad as Velcro dog, but one must have LOTS and LOTS of treats to get the job done.

Anyway, if you want to teach your dog to shake paws, here’s a video showing how:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_tjfqBi1KE

There are ALL kinds of instructional videos on line – this is just one example.

So humans – reach out to other humans today.  And dogs, shake a paw.  Especially  if there are lots  of treats!  Happy summer!!!

 Well another adventure in paradise…

So Saturday we went for our walk with Jackson – and I was the picture of good behavior.  Except for that ant trap issue.  But the walk was fabulous.  So my human decided that we should do it again – so on Sunday morning we met up with Jackson and his human for a command performance of my good behavior.  But we all know I like to keep things interesting.

I was behaving perfectly.  We had walked for about 40 minutes.  It was a gorgeous day.  And as we approached a pond, we saw a duck.  A mother duck to be specific.  With probably about 6 ducklings.  Jackson, the Labrador could not care less about ducks.  He swims but has no interest in them.  And we all know, I do not swim.  But I WAS VERY interested in the duck.  And the duck was interested in me – because she didn’t want me near her kids – even though they were in the MIDDLE of the pond.  So she flapped her wings and quacked at me.  And she flew towards me.  So I chased her along the shore and she quacked and flew at a low level.  And I raced along the shore and she flew away from the pond.  And yours truly chased her as she flew. I was going FULL speed. And she was flying at FULL speed.  Low to the ground.  And all the calling and shouting by my human and Jackson’s human went unheeded.  I was GONE.  GONE.  FAR away.   I disappeared into some reeds on another pond in the distance.  The duck had flown in there – probably to avoid me.  The humans stopped.  Velcro dog and Jackson stopped.  And what in what seemed like 5 minutes, but was probably 15 seconds, they saw something in the distance.  The duck.  Flying back in their direction. Fast.  And low.  And what was right behind her?  A wild looking fuzzy thing whose hair was literally flying horizontal and whose legs were barely touching the ground.  And the duck flew right past the audience, with the fuzzy bullet right behind her.  She landed on the water, with her kids and I immediately put on the brakes.  I wanted to chase her – but NOT in the water.  But I barked like crazy at her.  And she quacked like crazy at me.  My human ran to grab me and of course, put me on a leash.  I was huffing and puffing – it was an excellent work out.  And of course, all in good fun.  I mean I would never HURT the duck.  At least I don’t THINK I would. Perhaps I was just duck herding.  Sure I was…

So the remainder of my walk was in bondage.  While Velcro dog and Jackson freely and merrily ran along.  And I swear I think they were smirking….

OK.  So they may be well behaved.   But don’t I keep things interesting?  

Never a dull moment.   Yesterday morning – very early – we met our buddy Jackson and his human and went for a run on the golf course near our house.  And guess what?  I was let off leash.  And I never ran away.  I was WELL behaved.  No shouting “VIKTOR!!!!!”, no racing to get me out of a compost pile, no disappearing into the woods.  I was a GOOD dog. I ran.  I played. I came when called. Velcro dog and I sat and stayed for the obligatory pup-arazzi photos. Two moist (from the wet grass) PONs – the picture of good behavior.  It was a blissful, perfect start to the morning.

And then we came home.  And what did my human discover under the dining room table? No – not more hard candies. She found an ant trap.  One of those metal ant traps.  My human had put two out the night before as it is THAT time of year – and one never knows when ants will decide to make their way into our home.  One trap was placed in a non-accessible dog location, and the other was placed under the kitchen sink.  Well the one under the sink must have somehow fallen on the floor.  And ONE of us found it.  Of course, when the trap was discovered under the table, my human went into panic mode.  It wasn’t as if the trap had been ripped open, it just had a few dents – but you know her – she goes bonkers.  Her mind raced and she thought maybe THAT’S why I was so well behaved on our walk.   As if the concept of me actually being obedient HAD to be the result of some chemical substance.  She quickly called the Emergency Clinic – it’s a miracle she didn’t throw both of us in the vehicle and rush us there. But there was a bit of a problem – who DID it?  Evidence could point to Velcro dog – as he had taken the candies to the same spot the day before…but I was mysteriously in the dining room when my human was getting up that morning.

You know, Velcro dog is always labelled as being the “good dog” while I am called the…”active” dog. But really – still waters run deep.

Yesterday morning, my human left for work.  And my human’s friend and our best buddy who is here staying with us, heard Velcro dog go into the bedroom.  That door is usually closed, because one of us likes to jump on the bed.  And chew the pillows.  I’m not saying who.

Anyway,  yesterday, the bedroom door was open.  And our friend observed Velcro dog running from the bedroom.  And he had something in his mouth.  You see, my human’s closet door was open and the bag that she had used for our holiday was sitting in the closet on the floor.  And in the bottom of the bag were some hard candies.  Butterscotch candies to be exact.  So Mr. Good Dog stole some candy, and headed for a hiding spot under the dining room table.  As IF no one could see him.   Clearly that was an error in judgment.  He was quickly busted with his now sticky bounty, and had to surrender it.   If it had been me, I would have eaten them IN the closet, but he is just so honest – I think he WANTED to be caught.  

Today is June 18 and according to the Crazy Calendar, it is Go Fishing Day.  As you know, Velcro Dog and I are not huge fans of the water.  We will look at it – and watch the waves, but fishing would NOT be our sport of choice.  Unlike this dog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg5capd2fmQ
Not that we don’t like to EAT fish – but the whole idea of this angling thing – count me out.  I’d much rather fish for candy in the bottom of a suitcase.  Seriously.

Have a good one.

Well it was inevitable.  And I am mortified.  GUESS who had TWO ticks on his head?!  ME!!!  And I think it really was my own fault.

As you may recall, my human started us on these garlic tablets for dogs that are supposed to ward off fleas and ticks.  And we had been taking them for several weeks.  And not a sign of pestilence.  But then, as you may recall, I had that bout of stomach upset for a few days – and BEFORE my human realized it was related to the ingestion of the amputated bunny leg, she thought maybe it was the garlic tablets.  So she stopped giving them to me and to Velcro dog.  Well as we found out, my vomiting issue was due to the rabbit appendage – and not the tablets.  But my human had not started us back ON the tablets…

So…I am assuming while on our road trip, I picked up my traveling buddies.  They had to be removed with one of those tick tools.  I was given a thorough examination to be sure the ticks were completely removed and to be sure I had no others.  The one tick was kind of big and he left a lump on my head when he was extracted.  So I look kind of like a unicorn.  My human put some special cream on my head, to be sure it doesn’t get infected.  Velcro dog was also well examined – but he seems to be free of any vagabonds.

So we are back on our smelly garlic tablets.  Mmmmm.   And I am quite enjoying the continuous massage that my human is obsessively giving me every time I walk by her – as she searches to be sure I have no other boarders.  Don’t you just love the summertime?

Humans.  Sometimes I just don’t understand you.  Some humans are just…troubled.  Not all humans.  Thankfully.  But for that minority who are troubled, and who hold hatred in their hearts – well, they cause sadness and despair for so many others.  So many.

Orlando, Florida experienced an incredible tragedy due to a troubled human.  Isn’t it sad how one human can cause so much hurt to so many – around the world?  It’s so hard not to feel overwhelmed and worn down by such senseless acts.  But one has to look for the light shining through the darkness.  One has to look to those kind and wonderful humans who ARE good and really are in the majority.

And what do the good humans do?  They turn to us canines.  In the wake of the tragedy, a special group of canines has arrived in Orlando from all around the US.  They are called Comfort Dogs.  They are a group of Golden Retrievers, who come to provide comfort for survivors, families and first responders.  They are there to be hugged.  And petted.  And they ask nothing in return.  We canines have that special ability to know when humans are hurting – and we provide a calming influence.

Take a minute today to think of those who lost their lives or were injured in this tragedy.  Try not to let the actions of bad humans overshadow the actions of good humans.  And don’t forget to give your dog a hug.  You’ll feel better.  And we won’t mind.  Because that’s why we’re here.

June 15.  It’s Nature Photography Day.  A day to go outside, observe all the nature around you, take out your cell phone and snap away.   I am STILL waiting to get a Go Pro camera – Santa seemed to forget it on the list last year – so I’ll put it on the list AGAIN this year.  That way I can take my own photos.  Because, without my own camera, I have to rely on my human to follow me around and take shots with a “dog’s eye view.”   The following are my examples for this year.  Most of my nature shots end up being things that I then pee on.  Because really, we dogs look at nature, but our noses tend to overpower our eyes.  Unless it is a rabbit that I see.   I didn’t get a photo of one of the bunnies in my yard.  It would have been very blurry.

These are hostas.  We have lots of kinds of hostas.  Because my human doesn’t have to do anything with them.  And even when I pee on them, they are very hardy.  The photos do not actually have pee on them.  It is water.  From the rain.  Pee photos are not particularly sought after.

And here is an obvious view.  Tree bark.  Step one.  Smell bark.  Step two. Pee on it.

Rocks.  There are all kinds of rocks in nature.  These are beach rocks.  They hang out at the beach. And there is a close-up of a rock from the beach.  I didn’t pee on this.  Yet.

Here is an ugly fungus thing growing on a tree in our yard. I often enjoy eating things from nature – like sticks and grass.  But this fungus – nah.

These are tiny red lichens I found growing on a rock on our trail.  I had to show my human how to get up very close to get this shot.

Here is my lake.  I don’t swim in it, as I don’t like water.  But it’s nice to look at.

And here is the sun. Setting.  I had to look up for this one.

Those are my nature shots for this year.  Not much wildlife.  For obvious reasons.  So get out there and try it yourself.  It really is an amazing world!  Even from a dog’s point of view!

Well we are home. And what a fabulous  trip we had. And yesterday was the final leg of our travels. The day began with POURING RAIN – and yours truly did not want to poop. My human walked us in the rain and Velcro dog, who usually holds out during inclement weather, gave in and pooped quickly.  I waited until my human had taken me out three times.  I just didn’t want to go home!  Velcro dog even posed for photos in between rain storms, while I waited inside.

We drove over a mountain and a LOT of fog and then the skies began to clear.  I was still hoping to see a moose.  My human was in a shop, and a woman told her she had just seen one the day before – with a baby moose.  As you see, Velcro dog got to pose by a moose crossing sign.  Not me – I wouldn’t sit still long enough – I wanted to FIND a moose.  Velcro dog is just too good at times.  You plant him somewhere, tell him to stay, and he does.  Honestly – it is hard to believe we are related…

We stopped at numerous placed to take photos.  And thankfully, my human didn’t require that we be in all of them.  Here are a few…

And as much as we loved our travels, we were also happy to be home.  Where I FINALLY got to see a MOOSE!!!!!   A stuffed version that my human bought for us.  Since the bunny met his demise, now we can play “find the moose.”  But I will not be allowed to amputate his legs.  Or his antlers.