Say A Little Prayer

Thinking of my buddy, and occasional house guest, Cacique who is having a big operation tomorrow to remove a tumour the size of a grapefruit from his liver.  Hang in there mate.  Hope to see you soon.

Meet The Neighbours

I've got some new neighbours.  The human's of dear departed Roxy have rescued an English Foxhound called Henry.  I haven't met him yet but I've sniffed him through the fence.  My human took him some rather nice smelling treats and a tug toy.  I hope he liked them because I know I would have.

We've got a puppy across the street.  She's called Hazel is about 10 weeks old now.  She is beeeeeautiful!  We've met her a few times now although Misty is banned from saying hello to other dogs because she is so grumpy.  Don't tell her but I know she's starting basic training boot camp in a few weeks.  Ha, that should whip her into shape.  I still love having her around, I can get away with anything and she gets the blame.

Freedom

Freedom at last!  The human has stopped moaning about her foot and finally started taking us out.  Talk about slooooow.  I'm supposed to the pensioner yet I'm the one waiting for her.  To be fair her foot did look pretty horrible for a while.  I've nibbled on road kill that has looked more alive than her bruised swollen ankle.  The important thing is we have our freedom but it's a bit too hot and humid to enjoy it at the moment.

If I'd have written this yesterday I would have been singing Misty's praises, no dustbin foraging, no chewing, working on her squirrel addiction... but she blew all her brownie points today.  Not only did she wee on the carpet she grumped at a sweet young dog who was so excited to see us.  She really is quite scary when she gets going.  I don't think the human is ever going to get the smell of wee out of the carpet.  She's lucky her nose isn't as sensitive as mine - I don't need to sniff the carpet to tell where it is. 

Prison

Day 3 of incarceration.  Three days of being confined to the back garden.  Three days without a walk.  Three days of being locked up without a trial or any charges being brought.  Three days of poop!  You can't keep us confined like this.  But you can keep the guilt treats coming, I like the guilt treats.  And it is pretty cool having the human home all day but I need my walks.  I miss the fire hydrant at the end of the street.  I miss stopping at every tree, every lamp post and every road sign to eek out that last drop of wee.  To show the neighbourhood dogs I'm still here, still doing my thing.

Me and the other inmate have hatched a plan.  Misty started digging for freedom today but the silly human mistook it for Misty digging up the tomato plants.  The human now keeps a close eye on the new girl allowing me to sneak away to work on the real tunnel.  We need a plan to get rid of the soil though, the pile is getting quite big.  If I hand trousers I could fill the legs and casually re-distribute it around the garden - I think the human would notice me wearing pants, especially when it's 30oC.  At current rates we should be out next Tuesday.  I hope Misty can keep to the game plan that long.  I have my doubts, she seems to like the human far too much....

Klutz Update

I may have been a little harsh on the human yesterday.  She's now on crutches and in a splint.  Maybe she wasn't being lazy after all.  She better get back on her feet soon, the yard is filling with poop at an alarming rate.  Maybe it's all those guilt treats she keeps giving us.

Misty needs to learn to chill a bit more

Klutz

What kind of klutz manages to sprain their ankle playing golf?  My human that's who!  Talk about irresponsible.  It's golf.  You stand still to hit the ball, how can that result in injury?  How am I supposed to show Misty round the neighbourhood and laugh at her trying to chase squirrels when the human is laid up icing her ankle.  I know she has fat ankles but this one resembles a bruised grapefruit.  She is so selfish, sitting around complaining it hurts instead of taking us out.  It's a good job we have a nice big garden to wander around in.  She'll need to do a serious amount of poop patrol when she's better.  

Misty likes lazy afternoons

My Hero

We met Jack on our walk tonight.  Jack is an arse!  And his human isn't much better.  Where I come from, if you don't want to meet another dog you politely pull off the path and wait for the other dog to pass.  Not so with Jack.  His human let him come barreling  towards us, where he did his usual and jumped on me.  Being the old dog I am I collapsed under 35 kilos of fur-ball.  Misty was having none of it and jumped to my rescue giving Jack the worst telling off of his life.  To tell you the truth she scared the hebegebees out of me.  She's so quiet at home, I didn't know she had it in her.  I don't care that a girl came to my rescue, she's my hero.  I might even let her have the best bed tonight as a thank you.    

It's all about Misty

Misty has been a good girl this week.  She only knocked the bin over once... notice I said knocked over as apposed to raided, I'm sure it was an accident, she couldn't possibly be looking for food, there's no way she could be hungry with the amount of food she eats.  I would definitely say she's settled in.  She's a bit clingy for my liking, always following my human around but she's quiet, doesn't bother me and is learning not to eat my food - although it kills her to look at my full dish when she's scoffed all her food. 

I'm a bit jealous, she got to go to another human's house on Friday.  The upside was I got to eat my treats without a big slobby dog getting in my face and stealing my stuff.  But still I was a little peeved she got to go and I didn't.  She still has some learning to do though.  First rule of going to another human house: don't run into the kitchen and counter surf... so uncool.  Say hi to everyone, settle down, look cute and the treats will come to you, that's how I roll. 

Mirror Image - I'm on the right

Grumpy

Poor Misty came face to face with grumpy human the other night.  It wasn't her fault, nor was it mine.  I've never liked storms but since I started going deaf they don't bother me the same now.  This one was really loud, with lots of lightening and loads of rain.  It was so loud even I could hear it, well I heard the tornado warning on the telly, so I sought comfort with my human... by trying to climb on her head.  Misty isn't a great fan of thunder either and she was trying to hide under my human's shirt, which she was wearing at the time.  Unfortunately the human was preoccupied trying to move furniture and carpet and mop up a growing pool of water that was seeping in from the garden that was quickly turning into a swimming pool  She didn't see our close presence as being all that helpful and got a bit cross with us. 

Luckily both the storm and the grumpiness were short lived and we got loads of make-up treats and ear rubs.  No real damage to the house although my favourite room resembles a junk shop with furniture and carpet piled in the middle.  Even my bed was relocated to higher ground.  I'm glad I brought my toys in earlier - poor bunny would have been washed away. 

We have another round of storms coming tonight and tomorrow.  The human has been busy in the garden building what looks like something from a Heath Robinson cartoon.  She is confident it will keep the water out this time, and if not she bought a wet vac and a large bottle of gin.  I guess if her contraption doesn't work she'll give up, drink the gin and deal with it later.  Just as a precaution I'm going to move my toys upstairs... you know, just for their own safety. 

Who Dunnit?

I saw this and thought of Misty.  I believe you Tank!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuA6ZjpEJys

You've got mail

I got an email from Misty's foster dog Greta. 

"Ben, it's Greta here. You met me when you and your Mom came to adopt Misty. I was the big black Lab that you didn't take home.  I've been following your blog and I'm here to offer words of encouragement. My Mom and Dad loved Misty from day one. Me? It took a bit of time. You know she told me off the first day--in my own home! (Oh, and tell Carly not to take things personally).  But things got better the longer Misty stayed. My Mom told me that Misty, and all the other fosters that we've had, weren't as lucky in life as I've been so I need to forgive Misty's transgressions and be kind. In fact I kind of wish she were back here now. The new foster we have is only 4 years old and he wants to play ALL THE TIME. I want to sleep. So hang in there Ben. Things will get better in time."

With much understanding and sympathy,

Greta'

Ten days on

Misty has been with us for 10 days now and seems to be making herself at home - see exhibit A.  The peeing on the carpet has stopped, or I've just got used to the smell, so I guess she feels she's made her mark.  The dustbins have been moved out of reach so no fun there anymore.  Dare I say it I'm quite enjoying having her around the place.  I'm a pretty independent guy so I don't mind that she's hogging my human, especially during the storms we had the other night, we've got to make her feel welcome and at home.  We play musical beds, especially at night, as we both want the bed nearest the human.  

She went to doggie school on Monday.  I thought my human had brought the wrong dog back.  Our Tuesday morning walk was an absolute pleasure.  No pulling just a lovely walk next to us.  I don't know whether she's started therapy for her squirrel addiction or maybe it's the new collar she got at school but she hardly bothers with them after her class. 

It's not all been roses and ear rubs.  She lost all her brownie points tonight by escaping from the garden and 'exploring' the neighbour's garden.  When I say 'exploring' I mean tearing round the garden like an escaped prisoner who has spent the last 20 years in solitary confinement.  It was pretty funny watching my human try get her back.  Boy did it bring back memories of my youth.

What's the best part of having Misty join us?  Treats.  Lot's and lot's of treats.  And we've had 3 BBQ's since she got here.  I've think I've lucked out with this young lady.

Exhibit A - I bagsy this sofa

 

Feeding time (at the zoo)

My human has found a way to slow Misty down at dinner time so I can eat at my leisurely pace.  Like most Lab's, she's rather food orientated (see yesterday's post for evidence) and would wolf her food down in 20 seconds, then start on mine.  The Magical Misty Feeder is fantastic.  She is completely focused on trying to get the food out she doesn't even care I'm savouring my dinner at the other end of the kitchen.  It's a little messy, with kibble being flicked all over the floor but she cleans up pretty well.  Another plus with the slow eating...it's stopped her gassy botty.  Phew what a stinker she was.  We can now all stay in the same room after dinner.

The Magical Misty Feeder in action

 

Sigh!

I don't know why she's looking so pleased with herself.  I told her not to do it but she didn't listen to me.

Settling in and learning the rules

I bet you are wondering why I haven't been flooding you with updates about Misty.  To be honest I'm still getting over the shock of getting her.  After 12 years of being top dog it's quite a change having to share my human.... and my bed.... and my food grrrrr.  She's learning not to knock me out the way and eat my food after wolfing down her's and I'm being cunning sneaking off to bed early to get the one nearest my human.

She's settling in nicely and learning the rules pretty quickly.  My human is coming home early until the new lass gets used to being with me all day.  She did really well on Tuesday.  No accidents, no chewing of furniture.  Then she went a bit nuts in the evening and emptied the recycling bin all over the kitchen floor.  I blame the human for not feeding us before she went back out. 

Work day number 2 was uneventful.  Human came home early, Misty was really excited to see the human, so excited she peed on the carpet.  No accidents when the human got home today - she saved the carpet watering until later in the evening.

Walks are a bit stressful.  What is it with this squirrel thing?  She's addicted to them.

I took her to meet some of the neighbourhood dogs last night.  She got a bit grumpy with Carly, yes she's still with us, but made instant friends with Bear the chocolate lab up the street.  

Play Misty for Me

We got a dog!  Allow me to introduce you to Misty.  She joined us today from Labrador Rescue of Potomac.  She is 9 years old and just a little bit bigger than me.  She likes belly rubs, walks and rides in the car.  She doesn't like cats or squirrels but we've yet to test that.  She's settling in well but it will take her a while to learn the rules like - don't dig in the veg garden! 

Misty is on the right

Knocking on heaven's door

What is going on with my four legged friends?  Roxy's passing was a shock, now my other neighbour, Carly, is really sick.  I saw her being carried to the car on Saturday night and haven't seen her since.  I was out in the front garden yesterday supervising my human cutting the lawn (she does make a meal of it) when Carly's human came over.  Poor old girl had a fit and had to go to the dogggie ER.  It's not looking good.  I think I'm going to have stay in the back garden from now on, I don't know how much more bad news I can take this month. 

Borrowed Time?

Wikipedia say the average lifespan of a Labrador is 10-12 years.  They clearly haven't seen me chasing the bunny who is living under our shed.  I'm the fittest geriatric doggie in the neighbourhood.  My hearing isn't what is was, and my eyes aren't as sharp as they once were but I can still hold my own when it comes to chasing bunnies and sniffing butts.  Getting old does have some advantages... thunderstorms (my Achilles heel) don't bother me any more... because I can't hear them :-)

Every silver lining has a cloud

Yes, you read that right - every silver lining has a cloud.  My neighbours came round today with a big bag of dog food and 3 boxes of treats.  I thought they were here with the best birthday presents ever but sadly they weren't presents.  Their canine companion Roxy was killed by the garbage truck last week.  She'd sneaked out of the house when the plumber went for some tools and was clearly enjoying her freedom when the trash truck brought it to a swift end.  Poor Roxy.  I'll miss you woofing at me through the fence.  Rest in peace Roxy my young friend. 

Sausages for breakfast?

Sausages for breakfast?  Either it's my birthday or I'm going to the vets.  I don't feel sick and I had my bits removed when I was a puppy so it must mean it's my birthday.  Yeah!  Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me....

A quick check of my doggie passport - I'm 12 today!  Wow that's quite old isn't it?  No wonder I've got more grey hairs than my human.  I wonder what's for dinner.  I vote for sausages!