Dog Park Fun
Monday, February 15th, 2010 | Indigo, Litter Mates and Swissy Friends
Today marked Indy’s first ever visit to an off-leash dog park. The weather was decent (20s) and we didn’t work today, so we packed up Indy and Basja, since she’s still here, and went To Katherine Legge Memorial Park to meet Indy’s sister, Vasey. It isn’t always off-leash, but has certain hours for the dogs. They get a little shorter at the end of the month (sad).
I wasn’t sure how Indy would behave – I’ll admit I was a bit concerned about her recall ability and hoped that Basja’s influence would help. I was pleasantly surprised how good she was. She actually came when we called, which was great. She got the hang of it pretty quickly, and was nice to all the dogs out there.
It’s really best if I just show you, I think
Basja kept finding balls throughout the park. We’d sometimes catch her with 2 in her mouth.
And then the rampaging started.
Then we were joined by Bentley the puppy.
His human was glad to have big dogs for him to play with.
Indy chased him for a while.
I just love Bentley’s face here.
Indy looking all pretty.
They made other friends, too.
Nom.
I’m not sure Basja needed to jump over this dog. She could have just stepped.
And then, once again, the photographer’s hands got cold.
I must mention that I was very pleased with our experience at the park. We’ve avoided them because of some not-great experiences in the past, mainly with people not watching their dogs. But everyone here was involved and careful. I think we’ll be back.
Role Reversal
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 | Beowulf, Indigo
As I mentioned the other day, we have Basja the Dane staying with us for a couple of weeks. Her human mentioned that she might not eat every meal, especially at first, and I believe it’s resulted in a role reversal of sorts in our pack.
Indy, the chow hound Swissy (well, not in comparison to a Beagle, I guess) has been skipping meals. Seriously. At first I thought she wasn’t feeling well or perhaps there was something off with the food. But then I examined the situation and determined that Dan’s assessment was likely right. She is unsure of her place in the pack now because she thinks Basja is here to stay, and it’s affecting her eating patterns. Or she’s emulating Basja. Or she sees Basja’s model-like frame and decided that she’s too heavy (she’s not) and is going anorexic. Either way, she eats when she’s hungry, so we’re good.
The odd thing is Beowulf, mister picky eater who normally takes 10 minutes to eat 1.5 cups of food, has been chowing down. He’s eating fast. Seriously fast. And then he tries to go to the other bowls, Indy’s in particular, to help out. Dan suspects he’s trying to go all beefcake for the new lady in the house. I don’t know what’s up, but it’s rather amusing.
I wonder how things will change next week.
We’ve got a visitor!
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 | Beowulf, Indigo
February is the month of dog visitors. Our house is Camp Simon, I guess. We get the dog, their humans go to Hawaii. Doesn’t seem fair to me, to be honest. But it’s nice for us to have dogs for Indy to play with. Like Basja.
Indy and Basja (pronounced Baaasha with the long a) have been going crazy. Nucking futs about covers it, quite frankly. I got home Friday night (late because work stinks sometimes) and it was snowing a bit. I went outside with them to get them to play, and they rampaged for a good 20 minutes. And I mean really rampaged. Not some little fake play, but running everywhere. Indy got rolled a few times in the snow, but appeared to enjoy it. But she has the added bonus of being able to taunt Basja from under the deck because she is just short enough to be able to run around.
We convinced them to play tug with the 4 foot rope on Saturday.
I really need to figure out where I put the Flip camera, because a picture is just not going to do that game justice.
They played for at least an hour on Monday night. After they had calmed down, I went to survey the damage and had to put a fair amount of the furniture back where it normally is. I do believe mister “darn kids get off my lawn,” aka Beowulf, got in on the action last night.
I am so glad they are enjoying themselves.
Indy did her best!
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 | Indigo
But I am still in the office.
It’s one of those mornings, at least for me, that would be perfect to stay at home and cuddle on the couch with the dogs ALL DAY. Indy put forth a great effort in her campaign, too. It was really a shame to waste it.
I let her out of her crate at about 5:30am. The entire room smells sleepy. I am quite surprised I didn’t just pass out on the spot. She stretches herself out of the crate one leg at a time into downward dog (aka, rear in the air), then oozes the rest of her body out and goes belly up. I walk away, she follows. I look again, and find her in an up dog (front in the air, rear stretched on the ground) and laugh as she releases a huge groan. I shuffle her down the hall to Dan, who prods her outside.
Fast forward about 10 minutes. I am done with the first part of my morning prep, so it’s time to feed them. I exit the loo, and find her lying there, again smelling quite sleepy. She gives me a meaningful glare with her big, brown, puppy dog eyes and goes belly up. I pause to rub her, as it’s only fair, and proceed down the hallway. She jumps (quite literally) and tugs a bit on my robe. I turn around and find her in a very cute sit pose with a smirk on her face. I bend down and say “kiss kiss” and she actually does! Then she mutters at me, which translates to “git me mah fud, hooman!” So I do.
After food, she follows me upstairs for a few minutes of training. It’s part of our weekday routine, so it cannot be missed. But the entire time we’re walking, she’s pressing herself into me, giving me the over-the-shoulder look with a smile that I love. As I am putting makeup on, she sits outside the room giving me the big, woeful look that says “yer abandoning me, arint yoo hooman!”
And yes, I had to. The guilt is almost unbearable.
But just so you know, Indy, if I win the Mega Millions, I will stay home.
Introducing…the Swiss Lick Swissies Canine Cancer Fund!
Saturday, January 30th, 2010 | Canine Cancer, Gryffindor, Swiss Lick Swissies Canine Cancer Fund
Since losing Gryffin to cancer four weeks ago, we’ve felt as if we need to do something more to help with the fight against cancer.
Dan and I are already involved in with a few charities that fund cancer research for humans. I’ve even participated in a couple events for canine cancer. Well, now it’s personal, so we need to take the next step.
Along came the Swiss Lick Swissies Canine Cancer Fund. It’s not an official organization. We don’t have a 501(c)3 designation. If this gets big enough, I will get one. Right now, we are fundraising for organizations the DO have their 501(c)3, like the National Canine Cancer Foundation (NCCF).
The NCCF is an organization that helps fund the important research grants that will eventually (hopefully) find a cure. Or at least get us closer to a cure. Here is their Mission statement, copied directly from their website.
The National Canine Cancer Foundation is a nationwide, contribution funded, 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer.
The purpose of the Foundation’s Research Grant Program is to encourage and provide grant support for basic, pre-clinical and clinical research in high impact and innovative cancer research, which is intended to develop innovative approaches to a cure, treatment, diagnosis or prevention of cancers in dogs. The program fosters collaboration between basic and clinical scientists with the intent of enhancing the transfer of basic research findings to clinical usefulness.
So, as of Friday night, we have a store on Zazzle with a few cool shirts for you to purchase!
I hope to add a few more shirts in the next week or so, and maybe some other products. The store may move to another location if I can find good products for lower prices, but I’ll let you know when that happens.
Please consider buying a Swiss Lick Canine Cancer Fund shirt. I’m sure it would make Gryffin happy!
Husky Heroes!
Thursday, January 28th, 2010 | Random Stuff
If you’re in the Chicago area and looking for something to do this weekend, head on over to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle to see the Husky Heroes!
Weekend of activities includes the “Dogsled Spectacular” featuring Siberian huskies in dogsledding and skijoring demonstrations (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). In “Meet the Huskies,” Adopt a Husky will be onsite with huskies available for adoption. (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) In “Husky Legacy,” learn about the Husky’s role in Alaskan history and see the film “The Last Great Race.” Complimentary tickets are available at the Visitor Center one hour prior to show. Shows are at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.
This is a human-only event…you must leave your dogs at home.
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