The Twilight Bark

Mom's a big Disney fan so she refers to our neighborhood dog communication as the Twilight bark in honor of the 101 Dalmations. Of course we don't always wait until dark. Mom caught these pictures as we were outside enjoying a slightly cooler but sunny day when a dog sent out a his message. Of course it was mostly gossip. Contrary to what the movie leads you to believe it isn't just an emergency channel. We gossip with the best of them. Since we don't all have the chance to check pee mail frequently the neighborhood bark is a way to share the gossip.

What did the dog say you ask? Well just because we listen to the gossip doesn't mean we spread it. Really.

Do you have a bark circle where you live?

Katy's Chair Pillow

Mom has never understood it but sometimes you just need a firm pillow. While we use our soft cushy pillows, there are times we need something firmer and we know how to find them.

Friday Flowers: Rhododendrons

While Mom loves the beautiful purple flowers, don't be fooled, these bushes are havens for for all kinds of intruders.

Thankful Thursday: Robin Hood's Faire

We have been writing about our visit to the Robin's Hood Faire all week. However, we were truly thankful for the shady restful lunch tent. Sometimes you just need a little down time to rest and relax.

 

I found this great view under the lunch tent.  I had a great view and the benefit of the shade the tent provided.

Katy and I needed a rest.  We got lots of attention at the Faire.  It was cold in the morning and while people normally can't resist petting us,  we became convenient hand warmers.  People openly admitted to wanting to pet us to warm their hands.  When the day warmed up people still wanted to pet us, but it wasn't as great.

We were exhausted when we got home and badly needed a nap.  We are truly thankful for such a wonderful adventure.

Robin Hood's Faire: Watching the Shows

We had a wonderful time watching the performers. We saw Robin Hood and the Royals and wonderful musicians. Dog Dad and Mom's favorite was Shakespeare Approves. While Dog Dad is not normally a huge fan of Shakespeare he even went back for the third show, we'd missed the first one.

Dog Dad can't understand why we refuse to drink water outside of the house.  Even with our own bowl, it just isn't the same.  Annie did drink some water out of a bottle cap at one point, but it does bother the parents that we fight staying hydrated.  We even refused ice cubes a kind vendor offered us.  We just don't drink outside the house unless it is rain water that Mom doesn't want us to drink outside.

Shakespeare Approves was awesome.  If he appears at a Renaissance Fair near you we suggest going to his show.

Robin Hood's Faire: Meeting the Royal Hound

After going through the gates you have the opportunity to meet the Royal Family. We got petted by Robin Hood, but what was really exciting was meeting the Royal Hound. He was quite friendly.

Robin Hood's Faire Waiting at the Gates

Mom finally got around to posting our visit to Robin Hood's Faire. We went to their opening weekend, which was their pet themed weekend and we had a delightful time. They've since decided to allow pets during all fair days, but we were glad to attend on the first Sunday.

We listened to the Faire greeters as we waited for the gates to open so we could enter our first Renaissance fair. We were quite interested to see what would await us.

Friday Flowers: Daffodils

Every morning Mom goes out and checks for new sightings of perennials.

Thankful Thursday: Sunny Days

We are always thankful when the days aren't rainy and we can enjoy the sun in our yard. We love sun bathing year round, you've seen us sitting in snow banks. However, as the weather gets warm and humid Mom limits our time so we are making the most of our non-rainy days to enjoy the sunshine.

Visiting with Friends

One of the wonderful things about Spring is visiting with neighbors and friends. We love hanging out when Dog Dad is visiting.

Paws in the Park 2018 Making New Friends

One of the fun things about Paws in the Park is the chance to meet lots of dogs big and small. We met large and small dogs and had a great time sniffing and being sniffed. Katy met a Collie who was her large twin. The Collie's owner called Katy her dog's mini me. They had the exact coloring and similar face shaping although Collies and Sheltie heads are slightly different. Mom didn't want to ruin the moment with a picture because that usually makes Katy get restless so we have no record of it, but it was rather cool. At the end of our day we met two rescue Shelties. We don't see too many Shelties at these events so it is always interesting when we meet some.

We got lots of attention, like movie star attention. Every where we went people wanted to touch us and give us treats. This became a problem later when Dog Dad wanted to get us through the agility course. Katy had fun with it, but me, hey why should I work with treats when all I have to do is look adorable and everyone is offering me free cookies? Why jump for it when you just have to sit and look cute?

Paws in the Park 2018

Despite the rain we had a wonderful time at Paws in the Park. I was so excited to go it was hard to wait patiently while Mom and Dad finished final preparation for us to go to the Wayside Inn.

I so badly wanted to bring this pad home. Like most Shelties, I'm not crazy about wet feet and there was just something so soothing on my paws about this mat. Sadly, the group really felt their need was greater than mine and Mom made me move on without getting them to give me the mat. Can you believe that?

Mom's still downloading pictures off her phone so you can expect to see more of our adventures through the week.

Friday Flowers: Finally Signs of Spring

Mom has been concerned that with the strange Spring weather some of her spring perennials might not do well this year, but she is pleased to see not only her flowers but the first signs of her perennial asparagus crop finally showing signs of life.

Whisker Walk 2018

For those of you in the New England Area it is time again to think about this year's Whisker Walk Sunday June 3 from 10-3 at the Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster, MA. This event is hosted by the Sterling Shelter and is attended by many local shelters/rescues and there are many vendors and activities for the family. Come out and support your local rescues and shelters and have some fun. The walk is only part of the fun. There is much to see, do, shop, and eat.

You can read more about the event here.

Watching the Bruins Play Offs

Dog Dad is a HUGE sports fan and as a result we've come to enjoy watching sports with him. Sadly last night we watched the Bruins lose, but we were waiting at game time for the puck to drop. We supported him though each missed goal and the final defeat. One more try to win in game seven.

Enjoying a Dry Day

This Spring has been unseasonably cold, snowy, rainy, and sleety. Only Mom minds the snow. You can eat the snow and even nap in it. It's rather refreshing in the sun. However the rainy stuff is not pleasant and if that is our only option we guess we are ready for Spring, especially since Mom likes being outside more when she isn't freezing with the cold.

This picture was taken last Friday and it was one of the only really great weather days last week. When it wasn't snowing, or sleeting it was a cold icy rain. Not that we don't need rain, but when you have to go outside to potty, rain is annoying at best.

Friday Flower: Crocus

Despite the cold, green is starting to break through the ground. Our hearty crocus keep popping out to give us a bit of color. Mom's hoping to see some of the other Spring flowers soon if the snow and ice can finally surrender to Spring.

RobinHood's Faire Pet Weekend

Ever since Mom and Dad took me to Maine on vacation they've been looking for activities that are pet friendly so they can bring Annie and I with them. Mom had heard about the CT Renaissance Fair that occurs in the fall and got on their mailing list, but that is a LONG time to wait. Then she got an email about the RobinHood's Faire that is happening at the Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster, MA from May 12-28 10:30-6 . The first weekend May 12-13 is their Pet Weekend. Dogs can attend that weekend only for an additional cost of $5 per dog. More information about the fair available here. Lancaster is much closer than CT for us, so Mom is much more interested in taking us to this fair rather than bringing us to CT.

In addition to the regular fair events on Saturday there is a pet costume contest and on Sunday a pet trick contest. We've traveled to the Bolton Fair Grounds on several occasions so we are hoping our schedule works out so we can attend.

As I mentioned before I know that this isn't something many of you can attend, but there is always a chance when people start talking about events in other parts of the country that are pet friendly that other venues and events open up where you live too. It is only in the last couple of years that I heard of any of these types of events in our area offering to allow pets friendly days, but I had read about them from other pet bloggers in other parts of the country for years. Clearly, ideas spread.

Photo credit

Wordless Wednesday: Watching the Boston Marathon

After all its a marathon not a sprint. You have to to get comfy to see the whole thing.

Not Our Latest Storm

This actually happened on April 6th but Mom never got around to downloading the pictures so she could put them on our blog.  We actually had ice this weekend.  Not nearly as much fun as snow and we just looked wet and sad rather than happy snow dogs, so no pictures of that.

Mom loved that I just sat down like I was having a day at the beach. I was quite comfortable and she eventually had to call me in because she didn't want me out in the cold and damp for too long.