Whisker Walk 2011

Mom put the banner up on the blog for Whisker Walk as soon as she heard about the event. Many rescue groups are coming together at the Lancaster Fairgrounds in Massachusetts on Sunday, June 5, 2011. The event includes a walk and lots of family and dog related activities to raise money for local shelters.

Bailey and I are hoping Mom and Dad get better so we can go. We are even supposed to be joining some of Dad's doggless family. Mom and Dad really need to pick up the pace on this healing stuff. Dad bought Katy a new leash for Paws in the Park and she is very disappointed that she did not get to show it off. She is getting rather impatient with this sickness stuff. I want to get out and finally go to an event that is about dogs.

Mom says to tell you that the directions or the address for those who like to plug it into their GPS system are available here.

Send healing wishes our way, as Bailey and I really need to get Mom and Dad out of the house.

Remembering Memorial Day

Mom explained to us the meaning of Memorial Day. It is not just a day when Dad is home from work and able to spend more time with us. It is a day our country honors those who have died fighting for their country.

This day we pause and remember the efforts of those who give all so our country stays free.

Picture Credit: http://morguefile.com/archive/display/668457

Even When Wet Dad's Wings Worked

Katy is still not buying that those big metal contraptions fly despite Dad's absence and safe return. She was a bit stand offish last night when he came through the door. I did not mind because I had Dad all to myself for a change. Dad being fair sought out Katy and spent some time giving her attention. I think she was looking for those wings. Either way, she was punishing him for being gone and I knew she could not hold out long.

Sure enough, who was snuggled in bed with Mom, Dad, and me this morning?

Wordless Wednesday

Dad Thinks He Can Fly

Dad told us he was going to be flying for business. I know Dad likes to tease, but people do not have wings. How does he think he is going to fly?

Bailey says he has done it before. In fact, he says he knows dogs that have flown. He says Grandma's schnauzer Shadow has flown on something called an airplane. He tried to show me a picture of this huge machine on TV last night, but I am not buying it. There are all kinds of crazy things on TV and Dad told me they are not real and I do not need to be scared. So why would I believe that Dad is going to fly in a metal container?

The flying thing confuses Katy, but Dad does get on that metal thing. Shadow told me about his trips with Grandma. I would not want to do it, but he said it was fine. He has to stay in the kennel when he does not travel with Grandma, so I can see why he would rather make the trip. Katy and I get to go to play group so it is less scary than getting on a plane or a long car ride.

We Missed Paws in the Park

First Dad got sick, then Mom. Mom had something Bailey thought sounded like broccoli. He immediately started lecturing me that this was our chance to convince Mom and Dad that veggie gardens were dangerous. I pointed out to him that Dad had said bronchitis, not broccoli and he then just started sitting on Mom’s feet leaving me to do all the doggy nursing for Mom and Dad. I am exhausted. There is much to learn about humans. First, Dad has finally convinced me that Mom is not barking in a hostile tone, he calls it coughing. I was confused because she would be petting my ears, or rubbing my back and then start in this very rude tone. Mom has never been known to bark and it was upsetting. Bailey seemed to know about coughing. I guess this is not his first experience with it.

Bailey was more upset about missing Paws in the Park then I was, although the dog massage sounded interesting. Mom says we have another event coming up in June if everyone gets and stays healthy.

Katy and Grandma

My Mom was up to visit at Christmas, so she and Katy did meet. However, the house was crowded and Katy was overwhelmed with the changes to the house and the number of people who seemed to find a all her favorite spots fun to hang out in. Bailey enjoyed Grandma's attention while Katy hid away from all the excitement.

Mom usually makes a spring or summer visit. Last year she came for her granddaughter’s graduation, this year around Mother's Day and her birthday. She came by the house for a birthday lunch and was determined to meet the newest doggy grandchild.

Some people have suggested Katy may be shy by nature. However, I have seen signs that Katy really wants to join the family gatherings, she just is afraid of the outcome. I have tried a strategy of placing her on her favorite couch, petting her and comforting her and having someone sit in a chair next to the couch and just scratching her ears or lightly petting her. This strategy has been effective. She has licked a few of these people and when released even tried to overcome her fears and approach them. She has seen Bailey get lots of Grandma love and she wants in on Bailey's action. Bailey is content to let Katy stay on the outside looking in. He is more than happy to have the guests to himself, especially Grandma. Bailey's reaction has encouraged Katy to try even harder to overcome her fears.

She is making huge progress. It is hard for outsiders to see, but I can see confidence that was not present in September.

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

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Bones Banned in Beds

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Bailey does not see this as a huge issue. He mostly takes his soft toys to bed. I like bones. Chewing a bone in bed is comforting. Loud I know, but comforting. OK, so it does inspire me to want to play. I am not a controlled chewer, which can make for a challenging sleeping environment. I just cannot believe they took my bone. I got it back in the morning. However, when I jumped off the bed and took it in my doggy bed, I discovered the ban included my doggy bed, too. That is when Dad said the bone was going away for the night. It went up on one of those awful high places I can see from the big bed, but cannot reach. Now no bones are allowed even in my own bed. Bailey reminded me Dad would let me have one in my crate if I wanted to sleep there.

I practiced chewing on one of Bailey's stuffed toy bones to see if it will work as a bed substitute this morning. Bailey is not looking thrilled.

Parental Curfews

Mom used a version of this post for her Wordless Wednesday post last week. She carefully never explained what the picture demonstrated so we insisted she blog about it this week.

Mom and Dad need a bedtime curfew. As Shelties, it is our job to shepherd our sheep and keep them safe. However, if they will not go to bed however are we to get our sleep? Katy and can usually push Mom into going to bed, but Dad is a night owl. How is a Sheltie to get its beauty sleep when we are kept away waiting for the humans to go to bed? After seeing these exhausted faces would you force us to wait up for you?

Disaster Preparedness.

The news has pushed me to think more about planning. We have pushed forward with long-term plans that we did not wish to think about addressing. What I learned from that process is it starts with education. As I was looking at the poison plant link at the ASPCA I also noticed they had a link for Disaster Preparedness with a list of what you need to do before and during the situation to protect your pets. Some of this we have, some of this we need to do.

I know the first step for me is education. I need to learn more about my options and think about what resources are available to us in a variety of situations. The ASPCA list is a good place for me to start. In fact I think I will start some resource pages for this blog to help others looking for information that I can add links to as I learn more.

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Shelties and Garden Safety

While reading Chunyo's Corner's blog entry yesterday, I started thinking about our gardens and our shelties. Bailey and Katy are part Hoover vacuum and it is important to be aware of which plants are toxic to them.

For my own reference, I am listing the link here so I can find and refer back to it again. The ASPCA has a list that categorizes plants as toxic and non-toxic for cats, dogs, and horses. While Bailey has never eaten any of our toxic plants, it is important that we are aware of the dangers, especially since Katy is more of a plant snack eater.

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Wordless Wednesday

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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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