Once Upon a Time Blog Hop

Once upon a time there was a younger son of a King named Bailey. His father's kingdom was not a prosperous one, so he was sent off to be a knight in another kingdom. However, there to his dismay a human child was born and Prince Bailey was told he would have to leave and find another Kingdom to serve. He was fortunate to find a very kind group who helped displaced Sheltie Knights find new kingdoms with lots of squirrels needing to be tended. There he was placed in a temporary foster Kingdom with a woman who taught him lots of skills a Sheltie knight would need to be successful in a new kingdom.

Soon Prince Bailey was introduced to a new King and Queen who were in need of a Sheltie knight to take charge of their backyard. He ruled fairly and wisely. He even eventually learned to stop chewing on everything in the house, although paper continued to be a life long temptation. He practiced his herding skills on his toys and made friends every where he went.

The King and Queen noticing he was rather lonely decided it was time to find him a Princess and contacted the person in charge of finding misplaced princes and princesses new homes. They found a beautiful princess they felt would love to come and live in Prince Bailey's kingdom. Now Prince Bailey didn't know quite what to make of this talk of a Princess. After all the King and Queen had weird ways of telling silly stories to amuse themselves. For instance, they would joke about a trip to the groomers as a trip to the spa, implying some kind of luxury retreat. The groomers were no luxury outing. Just what did they mean by him getting a Princess to share his realm with and did he really want to share?

The day arrived and the King and Queen loaded up the carriage to go to the Kingdom of CT to make a royal visit. Bailey loved royal visits so he was quite excited until he arrived at his destination. This couldn't be, for this was the place where he had been abandoned by his first King and Queen. It couldn't be happening again. All was well in his kingdom. He was sure his King and Queen loved him and were pleased with him.

The King and Queen were puzzled. They had been certain he'd wanted a friend to come and live at the house. This reaction seemed odd. Then they realized while they had never been to this location before, Bailey had for this was the arrival spot for all Sheltie's displaced from their Kingdoms. Their beloved Prince did not realize he was not staying, but bringing home another to his realm. No reassurances would comfort him. He spent the entire visit scared. Even the site of his beautiful Princess Katy was not enough to relax him. Sure she was a beauty, but not worth losing his kingdom over.

Then something surprising happened, the King and Queen rose to leave and motioned for Bailey to follow them. He wasn't being abandoned after all. Wonders of wonders, the beautiful Princess Katy seemed to be following as well. With some encouragement from the King she hopped into the car and snuggled right in beside him. His princess was coming with him!!!

We can certainly say they lived happily ever after.

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Happy Anniversary Katy

It all started with an email. While actually it really started when the new neighbors rescued a cute black lab and Bailey realized just how lonely he was as the only dog in the house. He so badly wanted a playmate and he was not allowed to play with the new dog next door. Mom felt so bad. She knew Bailey needed a brother or sister in his own home to play with, but she had to talk Dad into the idea of bringing home another Sheltie.

Mom agreed to not pursuing a puppy, but an adult dog. Dad thought about it and agreed. Mom sent in the paper work to the New England Sheltie Rescue. They expected a considerable wait time before a dog would be available and they were OK with that.

However, an email arrived almost immediately telling them about me and they jumped to reply. They were going to have a new dog for Labor Day. I had no idea that people were coming to take me home. I was at my foster home playing with my foster brothers. They were fun. My foster Mom was nice and gave me tons of cookies. In fact, for a long time that was the only word I responded to until I moved in with Mom and Dad.

Mom was surprised when she realized this was Labor Day weekend and thus the anniversary of my arrival. She says she cannot believe it has been a year. I can tell, though. I finally claim toys as my own. I demand attention from Dad and know I will get it. When we get in the car, I no longer think I am leaving forever. I am home.

Doggy Rain Dances Work

Can you believe Mom and Dad were planning on an Anniversary beach trip right after Dad got home from a business trip? Really, leave us alone to go to a non-pet friendly area again? We think not and puppy prayers were answered. It is an icky day and we have Mom and Dad all to ourselves. We did hear Dad mention something about rescheduling. Not sure what that means.

Perhaps we should have been more excited when Mom was trying to find dog friendly beaches. Just because we are not excited about water does not mean should give up trying to find a place we can go.

We are still trying to figure out what Anniversary is and why Mom and Dad would plan a special day without us. What could be more special than a day with us?

We Celebrated Mom's Birthday

We started the day by warning Mom and Dad of dangerous thunderstorms around 4AM. Since it was Mom's birthday, Dad took us downstairs and put our favorite CD, Through a Dog's Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion, Volume 1 and we all fell asleep on the couch. Mom woke up around seven just in time for the second storm and Dad gave her birthday presents before going back to bed. I thought he got a pretty good night’s sleep with us on the couch.

Since it was rainy, Mom and Dad decided to spend the day doing some shopping and spending the rest of it with us. We got to play with our Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Interactive Dog Toy. Mom and Dad seem to have as much fun setting it up and watching us play as we do finding the treats. They even brought it out when Grandma and Grandpa came to visit on Sunday. As shy as Katy was, she refused to miss her chance to play and boldly walked into the room to take her place in the game. Mom and Dad were not sure if she would even play with Grandma and Grandpa in the room.

As part of Mama's birthday weekend we did get to see Grandma and Grandpa and that was fun. Katy was shy, but she spent dinner wrapped around Grandpa's chair much to everyone's surprise. She even touched Grandma's foot before she left which seems to be her new sign of acceptance into the tribe.

Grandma and Grandpa are going to be coming up for the concerts on the common. Dad always takes me, but he was worried about Katy. Mom thinks she and Katy might stay home together. It is going to be a fun summer.

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Special Weekend Ahead

Bailey and I think there will be bones and celebrations tomorrow as there is another birthday in the family. Dad is taking the day off from work. However, he says it is likely to have more to do with those funny toys Mom makes. We cannot understand why anyone would want paper when she could have a nice bone.

We will be back on Monday to tell you all about it. Any extra day with Dad has got to be a good one.

Wordless Wednesday

Meet My Fuzzy Bone

Birthdays are so cool.

This is my new fuzzy bone. Mom said something about replacing the old fuzzy bone, but this is my bone. It works well as a squeeky, chew toy.

It also can be used as a pillow when chewing on a real bone.

Bone also provides some protection from bone stealing brothers. Two fuzzy bones can be distracting and give me a chance to get away with the real prize.

My New Birthday Ball

I got a new ball for my birthday. I just started playing with it when...

Bailey took my new ball!!!

After some discussions, I got it back.

Happy Birthday Katy!

While it is here, I am finally three. I am celebrating my birthday the first time! Bailey and I had the zoomies this morning. We kept leaping on the bed to get Mommy up. Daddy had to leave early so Mom said we would be celebrating tonight. Imagine having to go to work early for a meeting on my birthday! Dad and Mom did sing some silly birthday song though.

Bailey says he has seen my presents and there are some great gifts. It is not fair I have to wait until Daddy comes home. Mom promises there will be some special treats and fun during the day. It is raining so we will not be playing much outside. Bailey says the place we are going walking this weekend is fun. There are woods and many wonderful things to smell. I hope the weather is good so we can go.

I am not sure I can make it until Dad gets home. I feel a zoomie coming on.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

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We Warned You about the Evils of Veggie Gardens

Mom and Dad keep talking about their veggie gardens. Fellow bloggers keep blogging about their veggie gardens and nobody discusses that they infringe on our play space and are just too tempting to resist.

Last week Katy and I were playing and just "happened" to wander into the back veggie gardens. No veggies were killed in our wanderings, although I must admit I was not paying much attention. I told Katy we might be able to get out of it by making Mom prove they were our paw prints, but Mom saw one small and one larger size dog prints and was not willing to provide us with legal counsel. Instead, Dad built a small enclosure so now we cannot get near the back corner. This is the best place to track squirrels and now it is off limits for the growing season.

Therefore, my fellow dogs beware of these veggies. Oh, they say they are harmless. They even will tell you how good they are for our humans. However, the first sign of a dog print and you will learn of the evil veggie plot to take over your territory. When I get some photographs I will demonstrate the encroachment.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Save a Dog's 2011 Paws in the Park

I love the Wayside Inn area in Sudbury, Massachusetts. I have been having picnics with family and the dogs there for years. Next Sunday, May 22, Save a Dog is having their 2011 Paws in the Park event at the Longfellow Wayside Inn and you can attend with family and dogs. The event is not free. There a $10 entry fee or equivalent pledge per adult. I am not associated with Save a Dog, but I have been looking for dog friendly local events to take Katy and Bailey to and find it even better when they benefit other rescue dogs.

You can find a list of other events and vendors that will be at the event by checking out their website. If you are interested in adoption this is a great chance to learn more about Save a Dog and the dogs they have available, too.

Shelties React to Celtic's Playoff Loss

My husband is a huge sports fan and Bailey has been his loyal watching companion since he arrived. For the first time, Katy jumped up during the game and snuggled with hubby last night, as the situation was tense. We shot this photograph, as it was clear the Celtic’s playoff hopes were over for the season. My husband is still holding out hope for the Bruins and Katy does seem fascinated by the moving puck. Bailey does not have too many sports he is not willing to sit and watch.

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Wordless Wednesday

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Wordless Wednesday

Pictures may not be used without written permission

We Move From Peanut Butter to Cheese

Since the discovery of peanut butter, Bailey has been uncomplicated about taking pills. Recently Katy discovered the secret of the peanut butter and while she will lick the pill clean, she will no longer take pills with peanut butter. We have moved on to cheese.

Bailey is still oblivious to the issue. Human food is a rare treat. Encounters with human food have not been friendly. He loves cheese and peanut butter. Katy is still suspicious so she gets an occasional cheese treat with no pill and some are the real deal. I am not sure where we go when if she starts refusing cheese.

Katy Sniffs a Foot

Our weekend visit went off well, better than expected. Katy did not do as many laps as expected. In fact once the adults left, she showed a great deal of curiosity about our guest. Once they went outside, she was happy to chase thrown balls and Frisbees regardless of who was doing the tossing.

The decisive moment came when Katy came up to our guest and sniffed her shoe without fleeing in terror. I have no idea what it was about the shoe or owner that was fascinating, but she had trouble giving in to her fear when those shoes were so tempting to sniff.

I realize there are some dogs that are shy and never overcome that personality trait. Katy seems conflicted. She wants the attention, but fear holds her back. This weekend she made big strides forward. I believe she will overcome this and be able to be more comfortable in company

Our young guest wants to come to the Whisker Walk with us in June. It might be a chance for the two of them to spend some time outdoors engaged in activities that would help them get closer.

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