Lilies of the Field

Oh, to be a puppy in a field of buttercups.

Three's Company

I do still have cats although I don't often post about them. They do their thing without much interference from me; and by thing I mean they break things, knock things over, dig in things, rip things apart, chase things, and eat things.

I groomed Ceilidh the other day and took about about another half cat's worth of hair. Everyone, including the dogs, has been shedding up a storm since we got here, possibly because of the warmer air. This means more vacuuming - my second least favorite chore after laundry. Her favorite spot is sitting on the TV and looking out the front window.

Weasley is a character and a half and is constantly doing things that I find annoying and amusing at the same time.

I caught him catching a couple flies against a window in the laundry area - he had to stand on the expen to get to the window but he was determined.

Mallaig is the most obliging cat in the house ...until dark. And then she turns into the naughtiest cat I've ever known. She is a hellion of trouble and takes advantage of the absence of the dogs and me to wreak her own special havoc during the midnight hour. She just looks naughty doesn't she?

Be Cool

It's a bit chilly here this morning in Nova Scotia, the wind is up, it's raining and it's only 11 degrees Celsius so the dogs are feeling particularly sedate. In fact, so sedate they got up, had breakfast and went straight back to bed.

Halo likes to sleep on my bed up near the pillow, everything on the bed is down filled so it's particularly cozy on days like today. Raimi likes the bed too for the same reason and also, he often just does whatever Halo does.

He was looking a little chilled so I got out my other down throw (because I don't usually want them under the covers - although we'll see mid-winter if everyone is piled under there to keep me warm) and put it over top of them. That's Halo's ear on the right hand side ... she didn't move when I put the blanket on them and in fact Raimi snuggled in further. Leeloo and Archer have been in the livingroom with me for the better part of the morning. They were all snuggled up on the couch, They looked a little cold so I relented and put the other down throw over them. Can you tell I love down? I suspect this is something like heaven for a Ridgeback. I suppose we should enjoy the cooler weather now because over the next week it's supposed to be up near 20 and sunny - with the humidity it's just sweltering.

Above the Law

I've been meaning to post these photos for some time now but have been easily distracted. Archer has taken his cue from Leeloo about how and where to sleep. I posted a photo a while back of him lying on top of Leeloo and Halo and while it's a good example of his talent it could have been a simple one off thing. Not so with Leeloo getting some of her own back ...

Raimi has been surprisingly patient with Archer's attention. Sometimes there's a grumble and looks annoyed - as in this photo with the droopy sad eyes - but he generally allows Archer to stay. Leeloo must have warmed Raimi up to being slept on. Halo gets the ass end of the deal though ... as usual.

Just as with Leeloo no one is immune. Although, it's actually pretty darn cute the positions he gets into with his napping. He is less about squeezing into a space he doesn't fit (like Leeloo) and more about draping himself over as much body area as possible. Check out that KILLER ridge ...

The Deer Hunter

We haven't been to the beach in a few days but we have been to the school field a couple more times doing some exploration. The first foray involved being dive bombed by deer flies and mosquitoes which had us running for our sanity out of the woods. I'm going to have to buy stock in OFF!.

So I'm not sure I love the forest really. Pity that since Nova Scotia is almost entirely made up of trees. We took the road less travelled at one point, were about 100 feet into the forest when I heard a strange noise. It sounded *exactly* like a squeaky door opening. Only there aren't any squeaky doors in the forest. I looked to my left and saw a log with a hollowed out part that looked suspiciously like a doorway. I glanced up to see Raimi cocking his head and listening, obviously having heard the same sound I did.

Halo was halfway to New Brunswick but recalled after a moment and we beat a hasty retreat. I have absolutely no interest in an entanglement with whatever angry creature was hiding in the dark recesses of that tree. All I know is if there is an encounter with something sharp a few things will happen: Halo will bay it regardless of the danger factor, Raimi will stand a few feet away and bark, Leeloo will dive in and out barking, Archer will be confused and upset and I will be apoplectic with anger and fear. And not a single dog will recall easily.

So off we headed back to the gravel path we'd been on. We popped out into the sunlight and continued down the trail and the dogs were all preoccupied with smells along the edges. I glanced up and my heart stopped.

"OH SHIT."

A deer stood about 30 feet ahead of us just off the trail with it's head sticking out of a bush. Immediately I started walking backwards and then did an about face as I yelled "COME!". Man I wish I had a photo of four Ridgebacks trotting toward a deer they haven't noticed but I can see all five animals and the disaster about to ensue.

Halo stopped to glance back at me and over her shoulder the deer walked out of the bushes and trotted down the trail away from us. Halo kept looking at me while she turned around. Thank gawd for small miracles. They all seemed confused about the sudden course change but were happy enough to follow along. I continued walking quickly with a comet trail of four obedient Ridgebacks, glanced back and saw the deer bound a couple steps and leap back into the trees.

There is really only one conclusion to Halo spotting a deer and that is Halo bolting after the deer. I think Raimi would bolt too but would stop sooner - possibly even recall. Leeloo would likely just follow Raimi's lead and Archer would get stuck at the first fallen log. Halo would disappear into the trees and I'd be wasting my breath yelling for her. Although, I suspect if I simply stood in one spot and called her she would eventually return. Once Halo loses the target she loses interest and a deer would likely be able to lose her quite easily. She'd stop, evaluate where she was and, hopefully, follow her own scent back to me. That is best case scenario ...

So we headed home with new resolve to stick to the field and take the forest path on rare occasions. I was obsessively scanning the trees for other creatures to pop out and make my life hell but at worst we encountered a boy on a bike who was talking to himself. The forest is full of surprises and I think I'll stay out of it.

Family Matters

I have been so busy and absorbed in the adventures of the New Home that I haven't updated on the progress of Halo's final litter of puppies. They are all doing marvelously well and as puppies, do, getting everyone to fall madly in love with them.


Hunter went to Kelowna, he was White Boy, and he has two little girls to play with there. Apparently he ate peach pit and after some vomiting part of it came up. A couple days, more unsuccessful vomiting, a visit to the vet, a shrug from the vet, more days to stew, and then the other half came up. His owner has compared him to a piranha and I think it's pretty apt. Tikka is in Kitimat, BC (she was Bridget) and she is also enjoying the company of children as she grows and she is kicking Doberman butt. Her owner asked about the bald patch she has partway down her tail - totally normal for a Ridgeback puppy. It will grow in as they mature - the puppies with more black in their coat makes it less noticeable but for whatever reason they all have it.
Rio is in Calgary and spends a lot of time in the mountains. Her mom puts Rio in her backpack and carries her when she gets too tired during a hike - so cute. Rio's new best friend is a German Shepherd named Jack and he is the most stable temperamented GSD I've ever met. Rio is right on track with her growth - giant feet and ears!

Of course Odin(or Odie and I still think of him) shares a house and a blog with his new sister Kika. He is learning all kinds of new things from Kika and growing like a weed. Soon he will weigh more and be much bigger than little Kika but I bet she is still the boss no matter how big he gets!

I don't have a recent photo but in Yellowknife Missy's name has since been changed to Ella and she is stealing hearts all over the north. She came down with a bladder infection just like Rio but it should be on the mend now. Not sure why this litter of girls was afflicted with UTI problems - maybe next litter I'll stay away from Iams ... I've had too many problems with it to continue using it. Also, Ella seems to have started the 'flying nun' ears rather soon ... this is often related to teething and causes their to ears go all wonky. You can correct it with added vitamin C to the diet or simply wait for the ears to settle after the teeth are done. A show puppy would have its ears weighed down to 'teach' the muscles to behave.

I also don't have recent photos of Elsa in Calgary - who is now Gracie - but I'm sure she is doing great. This is the family's second Ridgeback and they know what they're in for. They have three small children too so a very busy household!

Send me your new photos of these guys - I'm sure anyone reading the blog is now getting sick of my beach bums!

Not Another Teen Movie

I've spent the last week trying to get the video my mom took of Leeloo in the ring to behave itself so I could post it on Youtube. At last, yesterday, it all came together but I'm not sure I can repeat the result since I don't know how I made it work in the first place.

So here, finally, is Leeloo's very second time in the ring which is Best Puppy in Show. Now remember, this is the first show on the Saturday when she didn't win, not the second one where she did. Regardless, her movement is the same and so is mine - heaven help me. She is a little bewildered but held up very well ... the little darling. This is the first and last time she'll be shown as a puppy since the next show we're entering she'll be 1 year and 1 day old!

Leeloo Movement 9 1/2 months

Leeloo now continues her journey into womanhood and thankfully so far, it's been a relatively trauma free process ... early days yet.