Viktorsviews. The Next Chapter.

COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!

February 6, 2015Leave a Comment

Cel-e-brate good times – come on! We have COMPANY. My human’s mother has come to spend a week with her grand-dogs. And my human too. But I really think she’s here just for us canines.

She doesn’t actually live ALL that far from here – but my human thought a week in the woods would be a nice change for her – and us! My human’s Mom is like over 500 years old – in dog years. In human years that translates to early 80’s. Actually – mid-80’s at the end of March. But don’t tell that to anyone – she probably wouldn’t appreciate my sharing her age.

For someone in her almost mid-80’s, she is pretty cool. The first thing she told my human when she decided to come was that she was bringing her laptop – and she would need to be hooked up to wifi. She checks her email every day – and is also on Facebook. She even reads my blog! How’s THAT for a cool octogenarian?

We have to behave while she’s here – no jumping on her – and NO racing down the stairs. My human has given her the dreaded squirt gun to keep us in line while my human goes to work. We DO have her well trained though – she knows how to share her almost empty yoghurt container – AND she shares part of her banana with us every day.

I intend to be good this week – so she will consider me her favorite grand-dog. She insists she does not have favorites – but let’s see if I can change that. Seriously. I’m so adorable. How can I NOT be her favorite? But it’s going to be tough being good. For a whole week….

Snow and MAYBE company?

February 5, 2015Leave a Comment

You know, it’s my human’s fault that we have had some pretty nasty, snowy weather in the past week. For two reasons.

1. She finally put her snow tires on just last week. She debated about putting the tires on the dog mobile this year, but after nearly sliding into the ditch on ice at the end of our road – when driving 10 miles an hour, she decided she SHOULD do it. Ever since then, it’s been one storm after another.

2. The snowflakes. This year, my human put these big snowflakes made out of clear plastic in some of the trees and bushes as you come down the driveway – for Christmas. And usually right after Christmas – she takes down all the decorations. But this year she thought they were “Wintery” so they could stay up. I think they should have come down. Take down the snowflakes – and the weather will improve. That’s my prediction. Look – if a groundhog can make a forecast, so can I.

The good thing about the stormy weather is that she has been able to stay home with us because her work was closed two times. But this snow followed by freezing rain IS a bit of a challenge. Poor Paxton kept breaking through the frozen crust into the snow. So did my human. Not Frodo and I – we are light-weights compared to the two of them. Frodo decided to simply roll down the hills on his back. Me? I just run and slide, run and slide.

Rumor has it, there is more snow forecast for tonight. Unless I can get her to take down those snowflakes.

Oh. And SOMETHING is going on. My human has been cleaning the house. Mid-week. Which usually means one of two things. She is going away – and the dogsitter is coming. Or. We are having company. I haven’t seen any suitcases…so we’ll see what happens tomorrow….can’t be Santa – he was here already. And it’s too early for the Easter Bunny. WHO could it be? The suspense is killing me….

GET THAT GROUNDHOG!!!!

February 4, 2015Leave a Comment

WHY didn’t I go? Seriously. It would have made ALL the difference in the WORLD. Where you ask? To see the Groundhog on February 2!

Groundhog day is a North American “celebration” of sorts. I understand it actually had its origins in European weather folklore – but the big celebrations SEEM to be in the US and Canada. Legend has it that the groundhog comes out of his den on February 2 – and IF it is sunny and he sees his shadow – he gets scared and runs back in his den and we will have 6 more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy – he won’t see his shadow and – well -I guess winter will be shorter – although the “official” date for Spring is March 21 anyway.

In the US, thousands of people go to see Punxsutawney Phil – in Pennsylvania- the most famous US groundhog– to find out about his forecast. Here in Nova Scotia – we have our own groundhog – Shubenacadie Sam. Who knew – there are loads of these critters across North America doing the same thing on February 2. And it doesn’t appear that they need to have 4 or more syllables in their first name (for example, there’s just plain – Fred in Quebec and Nibbles in North Carolina). Then there is also Chattanooga Chuck…and Susquehanna Sherman…

So. On February 2 – a bunch of hardy souls waited for Phil and Sam. And guess what? They both saw their shadows. Which means…dum da dum dum…6 more weeks of winter. Some people really believe in the rodent’s forecast. I say, that if they JUST taken me – and planted me outside Sam’s den – well – spring would be RIGHT around the corner. He would he have not seen his shadow because he would never have come out!

Maybe next year.

Compartments of the heart.

February 3, 2015Leave a Comment

These are Frodo’s eyes – he helped me with my blog today

We’ve had some very sad news in our house. My human’s aunt – her godmother – passed away after a short illness.

My human was feeling so sad – so I had to explain to her about the “compartments” of our heart.

Everyone is born with compartments in their heart. Humans – and even us canines. And in those compartments we store people – and pets! And the more time we have with someone, the more things go into the compartments. All the special times and all the special memories. Now I KNOW that life isn’t always happy times, but there really is no point in putting bad stuff in the compartments. It’s kind of like a safety deposit box at the bank. You wouldn’t put junk in a safety deposit box! Some people (and pets) have lots of different compartments for all of the people and pets they know – while others may just have a few. But there’s no limit on how many you can have!

But when a person – or a pet dies, the door on their compartment closes. We can’t put new things in there – because they are no longer with us.

BUT – there IS a key to the compartment. And we can open it any time. The key is good thoughts. Think of that person or pet and think of a REALLY, REALLY happy memory – and voila – the compartment door opens again! And you can reach in and take out all those special times. And treasure them! Like a good treat! And try not to be sad – because you are soooo lucky you had those times!

And the best part – you never lose the compartments in your heart. They are always with you. Just remember how to open the door.

So that’s my compartment story. Phew. It’s hard work explaining things to humans. But it DID make my human feel better – and maybe…it will make one of you feel better too!

If I was a human…

February 1, 20151 Comment

So my human took this quiz on-line the other day. You answer like 10 questions, and at the end, it tells you what kind of DOG you would be. See. Humans DO want to be more like dogs. Otherwise why would they make up this kind of thing!

Anyway, she took the quiz – and GET THIS – she would be….no not a PON. Or a Lab. Or a Bernese. She would be a CHOW CHOW. A Chow chow? She doesn’t have a blue tongue! Although in China they were called the “puffy lion dog” and she IS a LEO. That must be the connection.

Which got me thinking…if I could be a HUMAN, who would I be? Let’s see. I want to be a politician. How about JFK? No wait – that’s no good – he’s dead. Hmmmm – I’m smart. Albert Einstein? We have the same kind of wild hair. Nah. I’m not THAT smart. And he’s dead too…..A comedian…like…hmmmm….Steve Martin. A “wild and crazy guy.” That sounds like me. That’s a possibility. But wait -he plays the banjo. Scratch that one – I’m not a banjo fan. A writer…JK Rowling? She wrote all that Harry Potter stuff. Maybe I could write my own books and call them “Hairy PONter.” Nah. That would be plagiarism – and really, I can’t be her….An athlete….Tiger Woods? Nah. He hits the ball AWAY from himself. I bring balls back…..hmmmm…who could I be?…..A singer. Taylor Swift? When I go out in the rain I like to “Shake it off.” But no. I really can’t sing like her. But Frodo can…hmmmm…..An actor. George Clooney? I’m handsome like him. But wait. He just got married. And I don’t even have a girlfriend. A billionaire….Bill Gates? Nah – I don’t think the $20 we won in the lottery would qualify me for Bill’s group.

Hmmmm. If I were a human, who would I be? I’ve got it! MY human! THAT’S who I would be!!! I mean look who she is – a woman who lets 3 dogs RULE her life! THAT’S pretty cool – from a canine point of view. Yeah. I don’t even need to take the quiz. I know who I would be! Either her. Or Emperor of the Universe.

Other dogs…and a Vik-Advisor

February 1, 2015Leave a Comment

Do you know that besides Frodo, Paxton and yours truly – we have other dogs in our house? Dozens. All shapes and sizes. Our human is a collector of all things dog. Old things. There are a china dogs and plaster dogs and a bunch of carved wooden dogs. One of which SHE carved when she was a girl. It even has some teeth marks in it from a previous canine kid. After THAT episode, all the wooden dogs are kept in a glass case – for their own safety!

For Christmas, some friends bought her another carved dog for her collection. So went she went to put the new addition in the case with the other carved dogs – she looked at one in particular – and it made her smile.

This dog is extra special, because it was carved by my human’s father – many, many years ago. Her father is now at the Rainbow Bridge – throwing balls for my human’s dogs – and her parents’ dogs who went there years ago. But when my human looked at this dog, she started thinking how interesting life is. Her father carved this dog for her years and years ago. LONG before she ever even THOUGHT about getting a PON. Yet this dog bears a strong resemblance to a PON… how cool is that?

The other dogs in our household – are all VERY well behaved. You tell them to “stay” and they do. And they don’t eat much either! And grooming is a snap – you just need a dust cloth.

Speaking of grooming – my human is HOOKED on a product that she used on Frodo and me when we had our Christmas baths – a Detangle conditioning spray by Isle of Dogs. Catchy name. Sounds Scottish. https://www.iodogs.com/default.aspx It’s actually a US company – but the products started from some formulas used by a chemist in the UK. Anyway, it’s kinda pricey stuff– but boy, oh boy – it keeps our coats fresh and from getting matty. My coat is different from Frodo’s – I’m the easy kid to groom. With Frodo – all you have to do is look at him and you can see mats forming. But since we started using this product – well the torture of grooming is MUCH more bearable. And neither of us has as many mats!!!! I give this product 4.5 PAWS.

So…while we’re not as well-behaved as the other dogs in our house – and our grooming requires a BIT more time – we ARE so much more entertaining. And really, none of those other dogs has his own blog!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I will!

What if…

January 31, 2015Leave a Comment

You know, sometimes I look at my human’s newspaper and I just shake my head. Seriously humans – you are SUPPOSED to be the smartest group on the planet. But what do I see in the paper? Terrorists. (not to be confused with terrierists – those people who love Westies and Scotties and Airedales). Pollution (the only pollution we dogs create is organic!) Racism (we dogs generally like other dogs – well, at least we like the smell of them. And the places they have peed.). Obesity (we canines have the same problem – but then WE don’t get the choice in what you feed us!).

Sometimes I get some crazy ideas and I wonder “what if….”

What if… every human who is physically fit – for one day a month instead of going to the gym, or for a run – went to a local dog pound and walked a dog. Or went to a nursing home and took a resident for a walk around the block in his wheelchair…

What if…every human who watched the Superbowl this weekend donated 50 cents to training a service dog…or to a rescue group…or to a Veterans’ group…or to helping fund research for some disease…THINK of the money that could be raised….

What if …humans could STOP thinking from their OWN point of view for ONE day and start thinking like dogs – who are happy for every sunrise, happy to simply go for a walk…happy to see their humans and well…just plain HAPPY in general….

My goodness. Wouldn’t it be a very different world?

Excuse me while I go and shred my human’s newspaper….and I continue to work on my political career.

MISSION accommplished!!!

January 30, 2015Leave a Comment

For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile, you are familiar with the DFZ – the Dog Free Zone. The ONE room in the house that has restricted access to us canines because, well, we would no doubt destroy it. The room contains some things that my human would rather not see end up with our handiwork – like the hooked rug that took her 95 years to make. So the baby gate has restricted our access – but as you will recall, nothing can REALLY restrict Frodo’s access. He even figured out a way to STRETCH the bungee cord that was holding the gate during Christmas – when my human REALLY did not want us in the DFZ, sampling things from the Christmas tree.

If the bungee cord is not holding the gate, Frodo simply pushes the gate aside, and yours truly follows. If the bungee cord is not on, I have actually been known to go in by myself by pushing the gate – my brother taught me well. Yesterday morning as my human was getting ready to leave for work – she found me in there all by myself. Quite comfy.

So now, if my human is in the DFZ, working on her laptop, Frodo and I routinely wander in. And we make ourselves comfortable. And this week – Paxton joined us. He FINALLY figured out that IF the gate is open – he CAN walk in. Of course he is not exactly subtle in his entry – he heads right for the couch.

Last night my human looked around and REALIZED – the DFZ was not exactly a DFZ any more. Frodo was lounging in front of the fireplace, I was relaxing on one of the wingback chairs and Paxton was sprawled out on the couch. Mission accomplished. I KNEW we could infiltrate the DFZ with some patience. ALL three of us.

Ah yes. We canines ARE good at training humans. Canines -3. Human -0. Life is good…..

The story of Frodo…

January 29, 2015Leave a Comment

Another birthday – my other big brother – Frodo. He is 5 years old today – two years older than me. We have the same parents. My human thinks that if I had been born first, the breeder would not have repeated the breeding. Ha. Ha.

Given this special occasion, I think this is a good opportunity to share the life story of Frodo…

My human has had Bernese Mountain Dogs for many years. And she LOVES those big goofy tri-colored monsters. She got her first Bernese before people knew what a Bernese was. People used to ask her “what is THAT thing – a cross between a Saint Bernard and something else?” Now almost everybody knows what a Bernese is…

Anyway, she had her third Bernese and he was a special boy. He was VERY obedient – and loved JUST her. They competed in obedience, rally, draft and even a bit of agility. But one month after his 7^thbirthday, he went to someplace called the Rainbow Bridge. Now my human ALWAYS finds it hard when her dogs go to that place…but this time was very, very, VERY hard. So although Paxton was already living here – and she LOVES him and still loves Bernese, she decided that she needed to think about a NEW breed. She had seen PONs many years before at some dog show called Crufts in England. And she thought they were very cool. Smart. Cute. Mid-sized. Fun. Lots of great characteristics. And since she has a Polish background, well, that put the icing on the cake.

So after her Bernese went to the bridge, she thought back to seeing those PONs and she decided to visit a PON breeder, right here in Nova Scotia. She wanted to “meet the breed” and learn more about them. Little did she know, the breeder had some 10 week old puppies….

My human had no intention of getting another dog at that point. She had just lost one – and she still had Pax, and a dear old Labrador, named Beamish. But SERIOUSLY – one look at PON puppies – and you guessed it – after a whopping 24 hours of decision-making she called the breeder and the rest is history.

Baby Fro

Paxton LOVED him and still does!

Frodo loved old Beamish…

My human isn’t really a believer in reincarnation…but…she is fairly certain that her 3rd Bernese has come back – in the form of a PON – Frodo. Seriously. Just like that Bernese, Frodo is “psychic” when it comes to doing things with my human – and they have a crazy bond. It’s almost spooky when my human looks in Frodo’s eyes. They have this “connection.” Frodo is fine with other people – but my human is his number one. He barks – which I KNOW can be a PON thing – but he barks like her Bernese did. He is protective of her – and will stand up against the most scary garbage can in the dark to be sure she is safe. When it comes to training – despite his barking, it’s sometimes like he “knows” what she wants him to do – before she asks him to do it. I know things too – but I don’t do them. I’m a BIT more naughty…

My human has shown Frodo herself in beauty pageants – and it was the first time she got something called a Championship on a dog. When she and Frodo got their first group placement (whatever that is), everybody in the building knew it. She was sooo excited. They have competed in obedience and rally and he has a number of titles. They even tried some herding. She sometimes feels guilty – because he IS so easy to train. Clearly I didn’t get THOSE genes.

So when my litter (or my treasury) came along 2 years later, my human thought she would get another Frodo. Wrongo. Same gene pool – but different mutations. I do have my OWN unique qualities…VERY unique.

While I AM sometimes jealous of my PON brother – I DO look up to him. He really IS pretty cool. And we get along great – all three of us do! And really, if it weren’t for him and his good behavior – I wouldn’t be here right now! So a huge Happy Birthday to my shaggy brother! And I MIGHT even share my biscuit with you today!

The holiday

January 28, 2015Leave a Comment

So. Yesterday was a day off for our human. And what a day it was…

Our human got up at the normal time to get ready for work. She checked her email and ta-da – her university was CLOSED. Whoohooo. We still went out for our morning walks although they WERE a bit shorter than normal because it WAS snowing and the winds WERE blowing at 1000 miles per hour. Well maybe not THAT much. But is WAS pretty windy.

After all of our walks were finished, my human had her breakfast like normal- including the obligatory sharing of the somewhat empty yogurt container. And then – much to our surprise – she did something that she NEVER, EVER does. She said “boys – we are going back to bed!” WHAT?! BACK TO BED??? She actually attempted to watch TV first – but every channel was talking about SNOW. How much snow. How to shovel snow. How to stay off the roads. How the wind was blowing the snow. How big the drifts were. ENOUGH already! It’s not like people have never seen the stuff before! It’s not like a volcano erupted. Or an earthquake. It’s SNOW. I guess my human isn’t all that impressed with snow because (and I have to be careful here – because this statement does give an indication about how OLD she is…) SHE survived the BLIZZARD of ’77 in Buffalo, New York. Google THAT snow. Now I DO admit that she DOESN’T like DRIVING in snow – but if you have lived through the Blizzard of ’77 – you can live through any snow. Well. Maybe not the snow in Antarctica. But most snow.

So we all agreed begrudgingly to go back to bed for an hour. And THEN, my human took a shower. And THAT, I didn’t get. Why shower? It’s not like we were going to have company in the middle of a snowstorm. And it’s not like she was going anywhere. So we ALL sat outside the bathroom door and WAITED while she took her shower. And when she came out – we ALL acted so overjoyed, as if we had not seen her in a month. But that’s what we canines do. We are eternal greeters.

Then our human made some phone calls to people who she KNEW would be at home – since we WERE having a “blizzard.” We napped at this point, because if our human had gone to work, that’s what we would be doing. After the calls were over – we wanted ATTENTION

So first it was my turn to play with the Snoop. And I got almost every treat out. And then Frodo was “trained” in that “new behavior” I alluded to the other day. As usual, he barked throughout the training – but my human THINKS he is STARTING to get it. And then Paxton got HIS time with the Pyramid – and he is expert with that toy.

Our human checked some stuff on the computer – but we STILL wanted attention. So we all went outside for a run around the yard – as the snow had stopped. Of course, could we JUST run around and have a grand time? No. Well we DID for a BIT – but then we had the obligatory photo shoot. As if our human doesn’t have enough pictures of us in the snow…We obliged for a couple of shots and then took off.

Back we went in the house, panting and wet. At which point my human decided to watch a movie that has been nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Foreign film. It’s a Polish film called Ida. My human understands, “yes’, “no”, “sit down”, “thank you”, “”Merry Christmas”, “Happy Easter” and some assorted words that cannot be written here – in Polish. So she had to use the subtitles when watching the movie. Frodo and I didn’t need the subtitles – for obvious reasons. My human quite liked the movie. I still preferred that Ape movie…

After that we all had supper, another run around outside – and the next thing you knew it – the day was over. A fabulous, unplanned holiday. But then with us dogs, every day is a holiday!

Have a good one!