Friday, December 31, 2010

Quiet Place

Gemi is shy. She doesn’t like strange people in her house. As guests started to arrive for Christmas dinner, our Crickie found a place she felt safe.
She was the cutest Christmas gift! Later this wasn’t safe enough so she went and put herself to bed.

Miss Lee, who as far as we know has never been in a house with 10 adults, did ok too. There was a lot of barking so that everyone knew she was there, but eventually settled down.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The secret to peace in a house with 3 dogs is . . . . . .

the Kong dog toy.  I think, Joe Markham who invented the Kong should get the Noble Peace Prize because peace and quiet reigned while the dogs had their Kongs.
 (FYI, it was invented in 1970. For more information on this visit http://www.examiner.com/pet-news-in-national/how-the-kong-dog-toy-was-invented)


LeeLee trying to get the cookie out of her Kong


Gemi enjoying her Kong


Tendra laid out and chill having time with the Kong


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Traveling Lessons

The first road trip with the dog was an adventure. Here are some lessons I learned.

1)      New locations needed to be christened with dog pee (accidents seem to be mandatory over the first 12 hours).
2)      Be careful keeping your dog on leash in the house because they can accidently hog tie a person (and this is especially dangerous if this is your 88 year old grandmother).
3)      It is possible to walk an 80 some pound lab, Lee and Gemi, if you tie the biggest 2 together. Lee was dragging the Lab around until the Lab realized she could use her to prevent dragging. When walking the beasts, you need to be sure you are not walking on snow surfaces that are not packed like ice, so when they pull you have traction. When doing this, avoid area with deer. It is difficult to control 110 lbs of excited dog if 2 deer crosses you path. (it is a Christmas miracle I didn’t fall).
4)      There is nothing funnier than watching two big dogs getting tangled up and tripping as they race down the beach tied together.
5)      If you have 2 dogs tied together, make sure it is the bigger one that listens and will come back (and fortunately for me, this was the way it was).
6)      If you have 2 playing dogs, you don’t need TV. It is so much fun to watch them.
7)      Dead fish on the beach can unite even the most sceptical dog with the others.  
8)      Life is easier if you have an enclosed space to let your dogs do their business. Going out every time 1 of 3 decides it is time to go out, means you are out at least a dozen times a day. (This wasn’t so bad there where it was much warmer, temperatures close to 0, than it is in Ottawa).
9)      At feeding time, feed the fastest eater (who gets faster when there are more dogs around) in a separate room to allow the other dogs to eat at their leisure.
10)  If you are a dog person, surround yourself with dog people and then your dogs get enough treats and goodies that you won’t have to buy any for weeks! (Our dogs got as many gifts as we did!)

Monday, December 27, 2010

Another Beast Sighting

he two headed beast that has been terrorizing a quiet lakeside community has been spotted again. Investigators are telling residents not to panic.  The beast, they have dubbed, TenLee, is described as a friendly creature. In a statement released today the officials said “TenLee is one of the most uncoordinated beasts we have ever investigated. This two headed monster is often tripping over it’s own feet and getting tangled. The most residents have to fear when they see it, is laughing so hard they pee their pants.”

TenLee spotted by the lake


Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas at the Beach

Gemi, Lee and Tendra having a run on the beach
When I write “Christmas at the Beach”, I know most people are envisioning a tropical paradise, with sun, sand and perhaps a cold cocktail. Our beach experience was not that much different, we did have sun and sand, but we also had snow and ice and hot chocolate. It was more like an Arctic Christmas than a topical one. This didn’t seem to deter the dogs from having a great time playing on the beach. Miss Bug is thrilled to report that she doesn’t find it too cold here and loves having a friend to play with. Gemini Cricket is happy to report that since Lee has a friend she doesn’t bother her as much!

Lady and the pups enjoying the sand and snow on Christmas Day

Friday, December 24, 2010

Queen of the castle

Gemi sharing her favourite chair with the Big Guy

Is this dinner?

Lee checking out a fish on the beach

Monster Sighting

Residents of a small lake side community are living in fear after a 2 head monster was spotted. The monster was described by one witness who asked not to be named as “a smelly black beast. It has 2 head and 4 eyes and 2 huge jaws. The sound it made was ungodly. At times it appeared to be fighting with itself.”

Police are asking residents of this usually quiet community not to panic. In an email released by Wikileaks on officer wrote “This is another ridiculous sighting by some crazy old lady. It sounds like a job for Scooby Doo and the Mystery Machine.”


When asked to comment on this the chief of police stated “We will investigate the internal manner. In the mean time I want to assure the community that we are taking this monster sighting seriously and will continue to investigate it. We ask that residents takes extra precautions when outside, and not to leave food or other items that may attract the beast outside. ”

One resident told reporters “It will be a Christmas miracle if no one is hurt.”
Picture of the 2 headed beast

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Is this for me?

Miss Bug thought she got an early Christmas present when a cooler of beef was dropped off at our house

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Another Graduation

Miss Bug and the Man going on the bridge

Miss Bug having just completed the tire entering the small tunnel

Miss Bug about to take on the A-frame
The Lady and Gemi and thrilled to announce that Miss Hailey Bug and the Man have successfully completed introduction to agility.

Miss Bug made great improvements in each of the obstacles. Her favourite are the tunnel and the bridge. She is less sure of the teeter totter and jumps. She needs to continue working on her confidence when off leash. As soon as she is unclipped, she stops listening. Miss Bug is enrolled to start Intermediate obedience in the New Year to work on this.

The Man also made great improvements. He is able to remember the course and provide appropriate cues.  He needs to work on which hand to give the cues. He is enrolled in introduction to agility for small dogs in the New Year where he and Gemi will give this a try.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Revenge

Miss Bug has been seeking her revenge on her humans who she believes are mistreating her. Her grievances include: being left alone, not being fed enough, not getting attention 24/7, and continual being dressed up to look like a fool. (See attached photo for an example). To date she has felt her grievances have not been heard by the humans, so she has began her revenge campaign. This includes peeing on the landing of the stairs, and eating shoes. So far she has chewed one pair of Merrels, the insoles out of one pair of runners, eaten the back out of a pair of runners that should have been in the garbage, and chewing the back of one sandal. These behaviours only occur when Miss Bug is left alone.

In retaliation, the humans are trying to find a way to contain Miss Bug when they have to leave her alone. Lady is wondering if it is cheaper to give up her job and stay home with Miss Bug!
An example of the humiliation Miss Bug faces at the hands of her owners.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Move over


Lee: Nin you are in my spot move over.
Nin: I was here first. Not only in this house but on this spot on the couch, you move over.
Lee: No, you move, I am the baby, I get what I want.
Nin: Purr, Purr, I don't hear you.
Lee: Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lady: I don't know why I bought a larger couch, they won't spread out on it. They are either sitting on us or on each other.

Follow up: Both refused to move and they sat more or less like this for a good 30 minutes.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Invasion

On a cold winter day, Miss Bug was in the backyard enjoying a romp when the enemy entered the yard. Miss Bug went into hunting mode, first trying to get under the deck from the side, then from the top. Calling her did not distract her from this hunt. Then when she was on top of the deck trying to figure out how to get under it, the enemy took off. In several large hoops the little brown bunny was out of the yard. Miss Bug was hot on the trail, but was stopped by the hedge. Those watching took a deep breathe, was the yard set up going to contain Miss Bug? Was she going to escape from the yard? Why didn’t she put her collar on earlier today? A history of a small dog named Loki escaping after bunnies made this extra stressful. The yard contained the beast and after several desperate moments of trying to figure out how to get out, Miss Bug gave up and came in. She is ready to protect the yard next time.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Smart Dog

Miss Hailey Bug of Ottawa is restless after a week of not going for walks. The Lady would like to remind her and everyone that she has tried to get Miss Bug out, but Miss Bug has refused due to the cold. Boots will be purchased for Miss Bug today.

This morning things were made worse when the Lady and the Man tried to sleep in. Miss Bug had enough sleep and was a crazy dog in the bed. After the third or forth time she had landed on the Lady’s head, the Lady decided she would get up. So not to pair getting up with getting fed and not to encourage this type of behaviour in the future, the Lady decided to wait a bit to feed her. Miss Bug did not like waiting, especially after watching the cats getting feed. Miss Bug’s communication skills are limited; however, she was able to clearly indicate she was ready to eat. She did this by going to the door and scratching it. As soon as the Lady stood up, Miss Bug ran to the kitchen and stood beside her bowl. The Lady was so impressed by this way of communicating, she did reinforce her by getting her breakfast. Miss Bug is very smart.
Dogs resting after a morning of play

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Nurse Lee

Yesterday I was home with a cold, Miss Lee spent the day snuggling me. Which was nice except when I was really fevered and so hot I didn’t want anything to touch me (and for a smallish dog, she is warm). She even brought me some toys.

I am not the only one who needed Nurse Lee’s care. Yesterday Nin had to have dental surgery. When he first returned from the clinic Lee wouldn’t leave Nin alone. She desperately wanted to get Nin and lick Nin’s face and shaved legs. When she couldn’t reach Nin, she barked at him. I think Nin was more traumatized by Lee than his time as the vet. However, they this seems to have settled down and this is how they have spent their evening:




They are best friends!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Not a Canadian Dog

It is a beautiful crisp winter day here (I know, it isn’t winter yet but close enough). The ground is covered in a layer of snow. The temperature is a lovely -8 (degrees Celsius), -15 with the wind chill.

I bundled up this morning for the walk figuring I would be colder than Lee. Turns out, Lee was the one who found it too cold. We walked about 8 houses when 3-legged dog syndrome kicked in. She hopped along a little before she sat down and refused to go forward.  She looked up at me with the saddest eyes ever! Realizing that carrying her that far would not be good for me, I warmed her paw up between my hands so she could make it home. The 3 legged dog syndrome stopped until we were one house away and another paw started to hurt. She saw the house and kept on hopping and we made it home!

I had assumed that being from Ohio (with average lows that range from -6 to 32 degrees Celsius) would make her a hardy dog. Turns out, she is not. I guess our next adventure is going to be to teach her to wear boots! That, or hope she gets use to the cold!

We will see how she does home alone all day without a morning walk. Keep your fingers crossed that my couch is safe today.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Agility 4


This is the ring

This is the chute

Today was a much better class than last week. No treats got spilt on the ground and a few dogs walked by but didn’t come in. We are into the big league now and by the end of the day we did the big course.

The big course:
Teeter totter  - ring – A frame – 2 jumps – turn around – 2 jumps – over the bridge – through the tunnel.

What Hailey doesn’t like:
Teeter Totter (Today she was scared of it for some reason and kept trying to jump off, we will have to work on it)
Ring –(Today was the first day we used it and she isn’t sure about it)
Jumps – she likes doing one but thinks it is stupid to do 2 in a row.

Hailey’s favourites:
Bridge, A frame  and Tunnel
New fav: Probably the chute. We got to try it at the end of the day and she loved this!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

3 months of Lee!

 Today marks 3 months since Lee joined our pack.

We had originally thought that adding a new, healthy puppy to our home would be far less expensive than nursing our sick dog. Let’s see how they compare.

A review of some of the Lee costs (these are estimates and do not included costs like food and treats):

2 destroyed crates - $240
1 screen door - $50
Numerous dog toys - $50
Sheets and blankets - $100
My Merrill’s - $120
Gemi’s trip to emerg - $300
Collar and harness- $70

Add adoption fees, vet check up and training – add another $850

Total of: over $1700 (which is almost exactly the cost of 3 months of Lo’s medical treatment).

At the end of the day, it could cost twice as much because time with Hailey Bug is priceless!

I'm worth it!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Snow Lo


Perhaps this is a new “lo” for me.
Today at the Christmas store I found this head for a build your own snowman. The cashier was very confused why I was just buying a head and not the body part.
I said, “It’s for a dog’s urn.”
Response from cashier: “I am sorry I asked.”

It is just like having 3 dogs, but one who isn’t any work!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Interpreting Dog Behaviour

What do you think this means?


I think it means, I don’t like your shoes, get new ones!

(Of course I had 2 pairs of shoes sitting side by side by the door. Did she chew the old ones? No, she picked the new ones. At least she left my couch alone!)


Happy Hanukkah!

Loki enjoying latkes with the Little People family