SPRING?

Is it?
Is it here?
My lilies are up. The violets and dandelions are out. The trees have leaves and best of all, I have the windows open.

"Where're those damn dogs?"

 

The Sandhills came through several weeks ago.

 

Art studios are starting to open.

 

Flowers

 

 

 

 

We are sitting in the sun. It is spring.

 

FRUSTRATION

I had decided to simply make this a series of photos that I happen to like, but I cannot seem to find the group that I uploaded (twice) to the dashboard.
There were 58 photos I picked out some of which I know I have used before, probably more than once in some instances, but I find this extremely annoying.
I am hoping to get some good photos at the Nationals. They will be black dogs, not Bassets but you get what you pay for.

A number of years ago Susie Spry and I took a week-long spring trip to Kentucky and Tennessee. We stopped at the Kentucky Horse Park and met this draft horse foal having a very good time. We stood by the fence and he came over but Mama Horse was having none of that and with her ears pinned she trotted over to discuss our getting too close with her baby.
We watched from a respectful distance after that, even though there was a fence between us.

On that same trip we went out to Keeneland track very early one morning and watched them breeze the horses. Then we walked back and ate breakfast at the track kitchen, with jockeys and trainers and owners all around. It was a wonderful trip. One of the best I have ever taken.

I do not recall if this was the same trip or another that we took where we went along the Mississippi River (which is to the right) and wandered up this little dirt road.  Turned out to be more of a driveway to this house. This is about as close as we got and later at home I did a painting of it, which of the 4 or 5 paintings I did that year I really like. On the hike up the road we found a beaver tree, something I had not seen before.

Cooper meeting Zelda's puppies. It always amazed me how gentle and considerate of the puppies the adult males were. Of course, had they transgressed Zelda would have killed them, and I am not sure that it would not have been literally. She was very protective and had Cooper and Mitchell so well-trained that they would not walk past the "puppy room" to go outside without a human with them.

Happy Conley. I love happy dogs. No animal on earth is happier than a happy dog.

I know I have used this before but I like it. John actually took this photo on one of his forays downtown in Chicago. I do not now remember what the occasion was now, maybe Occupy Chicago but I think it was longer ago than that. Anyway. Had I ever tried to get my horse under that thing I would still be splatted on the cement....

The sad (and expensive) results of my short-lived experimentations with PMC clay (Precious Metal Clay). The seahorse broke. I needed a class, really-- probably many many of them. It was/is far too expensive for me as a hobby or even a side-line. The beads are bad enough.

My first grooming job. That dog (Prince) had the patience of a saint with me. Once when I was about 10 and walking him (he belonged to a neighbor) a drunk approached and Prince made it very clear who was in charge of THAT encounter....

Everyone said he'd sink, but he swam. Mitchell at Cedar Lake, in the Basset version of Dock Diving.

These are just chosen at random. Enjoy.

IT'S BEEN A LOONNNG LOOOONNNG TIME

 

                                          The Yard

Still the yard

 

 

Also the yard with Duck

 

 

 Dog in Yard

 

 

 

Dog in Yard

 

 

Dog wearing Yard

 

 

Dog wearing Mud who is supposed to be going to the Nationals in 11 days.

 

 

Not Mine, glad it isn't mine as cute as it is, I see that my MudPuppies are not as bad as it could be.

 

WELCOME TO SPRING.

 

 

LONG TIME

It's been a long time since I have written anything. I'm limping around with this stupid knee that doesn't want to work, doesn't want to bend or straighten, or support weight (of which there is plenty) or do anything that a knee is actually supposed to do.

I take Doc to training and after 15 minutes of ring time I have to stop.
I took him for a long and wonderful walk the other day and it took two days for me to recover.
Nigel and I went out, also, he in his wheels.
I am thinking we could use a matched set.

Yesterday John did some yardwork and had all the dogs out with him. This is Nigel and Doc playing. Doc lays down so Nigel can reach him. They can do this for a half hour at a time, and then Nigel falls asleep in the sun.

When I put these photos on the computer I looked at those nails!!
They came off this morning: I had to put a muzzle on Nigel to do the front, but after a token comment or two he settled down and let me do them. He looks much better.

This is Llewis. Llewis is my real sundog. He will sleep in the sun when it is 20 degrees outside.

And then of course, there's Doc: growing like a weed. Still a puppy. He still has that puppy look, but it's fading. He's big enough now to  worry people who are afraid of dogs in general. He's cautious, is afraid of the dark, doesn't want to be outside alone but with Llewis for company he will stay outside all day if I let him.

 

Getting to be a big boy. Doc with Nigel.

 

 

Mr. Biskit regarding what is left of the "lawn".

 

 

Mr. Biskit dealing with stumps and smallish trees that invade.

Doc is watching Mr. Biskit with that pointy stick thing he is swinging around. None of us believe a dog who is afraid to be outside alone in the dark is brave, but Doc is also a puppy still, even though he doesn't look much like one.

Still watching. Ever vigilant.

Doc watching John but all ready in case that pointy stick thing comes in his direction. (It doesn't.)

It always pays to be beautiful.

WHEN YOUR CRAZY DOG IS SICK

I have a crazy dog. He is almost never still. He is into everything including many things that as I pry them from his gleaming, smiling jaws, I tell him "You crazy dog! Someday you're going to kill yourself eating everything!"

So this morning instead of bounce bounce bounce leapy leapy bite bite bite bite, grab, duck and run, bounce, leap, kisskisskiss,
I got:

And so I rushed him to the Vet who took his temp: normal.
Who did a belly rad to see if he had eaten something: normal.
Did bloodwork to make sure all was in order: normal.

 

So I took him home. And he did this:

And sat quietly in the sun. I was practically having a nervous breakdown. I was positive something horrible was wrong. This is not a dog who sits in the sun.

I was just ready to call the Veterinarian back, when the dog stood up, yawned, stretched, and did this:

And then,

And this:

 

And even:

So... maybe he isn't sick after all..

O mon adorable chien fou....

VARIOUS AND SUNDRY

There's not a whole lot going on unless you are a mud freak.

This is Llewis. He and Doc run the fence in the back and bark at Oreo, a black and white Border collie who belongs to Katie. Recently, Oreo's buddy, Quincy, died. Oreo is much subdued, so I have quit yelling at the dogs when they run the fence. However...there is a price to pay and you are looking at it.
Multiply this by about 100 times and you have an idea what Doc looks like at the end of the day, with mud dripping from his britches, his tail, his "feathers" (which are almost non-existant anyway) his belly, his feet, you name it.

My beautiful Belgian....

Recently we bought another "suit" for Nigel. This is lycra and made really for dogs with skin conditions, (allergies) surgery sites with stitches, etc etc. It keeps them from chewing. It is also used for show dogs, Afghan hounds, like that, to keep their coats flat.

I thought that this very tight-fitting suit would work to keep the pads for incontinence in place as well as not snagging his feet. You can cut the legs off. (Of the suit, not the dog, altho...)

Unfortunately, while the suit works, Nigel hates it with a passion I have rarely seen. He SNARLS, my sweet Nigel... when I go to put it on him.

"I look like an f*****g fool."

Utterly charming.

He can move in it, don't let him kid you. I need to put a belly band on under the suit, because the pads shift. And I need to cut the legs of the suit off short, especially in the back. He makes it look difficult but it is not more or less difficult than moving without the suit on.

                         HELP ME!!!

SNOW DAY! NO SCHOOL!

Look! It's a snow day! We don't have school. So what's there to do?

Oh man. There's a lot. Well, they DID say SNOW day....wish we had a plow.

Oh wait, here comes one now.

TaaaDaa! Our own personal Snow Plow.

 

Here he comes, right when we need him. We need a trail-breaker.

 

Of course, there's a price to pay for this service.

 

I got away! Now let's see what Llewis can do...

 

 

You go, Llewis!!

 

Oh No, the dreaded Stick!

 

 

 

 

 

HEY! Mom says it's time to come in.

 

There's always my faithful Chewie....