sascha the boy

Some friends watched Pup for the weekend while we were off adventuring. They took a few photos along the way, and I couldn't help but post a few. Our own photos of Pup are, well, pretty bad. They're blurry or dark, and often shot at extremely close proximity. He thinks he's a lapdog, and any time you're looking at him (i.e. trying to get him to look at you so you can take a photo) he thinks it means, "Jump around, get excited! Better yet, jump on me!"

I don't know how they did it, but they got him to stand still and the photos are great!

Here he is with his friend, Coffee.

pup show

This is a photo of Pup (not his actual name) doing his Praying Mantis. It is a sign of contentment, he likes to have his belly rubbed.

On a walk yesterday with Pup, I started discussing with him (a very one-sided conversation, but he seemed to be listening) all of the things I look forward to as time goes by. Specifically, all the life-with-a-dog things that would be nice if they ever came to be. I'm not sure if he really heard what I was saying, or really took it in and mulled it over. I can only hope.

In case you were curious, (and even if you weren't) this is the list of things I'd like:

1. To walk side by side, with no pulling on the leash or darting off to the side to pee on a bush (go ahead and pee, just don't lurch wildly while you're at it!). He's getting better, but experimenting with leaning against my knee as we walk. It's a power play thing, I hope I'm winning.

2. The quick and absolute end to eating poop. I realize it's pretty rare, and it's usually the neighbor's cat treats, but it's gross and you should stop doing that.

3. No more retching in the wee hours of the morning on the carpet. This doesn't happen often, either, but it's really an awful way to wake up (for me, as well as you). I understand this will happen from time to time, but perhaps you could make your way to the kitchen or the bathroom instead? It would be much easier to clean.

4. No more chasing, attacking, biting, or pouncing on or toward cats, ducks, or anything else. It's starting to get a bit weird. Some days you're fine. I'd like to know that every day you'll be fine.

5. And finally, an end to nose-diving into people's crotches. It makes everyone uncomfortable, nobody likes it, and it makes you seem as if you have no manners at all.

I could probably double the size of the list, but these are a good start. Let's go from here and see what happens.

the gag reflex

I like to think of myself as a tough girl. I don't cry when I get a splinter, I often come upon bruises that I don't remember getting, and I curse when I stub my toe. I'm no ninny.

And then Pup gets a big fat ugly fat big tick in his forehead! And I gag a little and get the creepy crawlies and wish with all of my tough girl heart that tick was somewhere else chewing on someone else's dog's forehead.

Grrrrrrrross!

After a little online search on "how to remove a tick from a dog" I have settled on the Q-tip with mineral oil, followed by a gentle tweezing (pulling straight out). This will require two people at least, and may require the other person to do most of the work. Because I'm gagging just thinking about it.

I'd show you a picture but my skin crawls just looking at them so I'll attach a link from this word for you to click on. Beware, be forewarned, be less curious.

I did happen across a photographer's blog who came across a tick facing off with a spider. I have a hard time with spiders, too, so this photo is extra special.

bad dog

How to make a taxidermy mouse-duck and other duck pond adventures.

Sad days. Here is the story as it was told to me:

Yester-evening Pup was taken for a walk to a nearby leash-free area which contains a couple of very nice little ponds with pretty ducks swimming dreamily, dreaming their little duck dreams and doing their little duck things.

Pup splashed around a bit and the ducks fluttered in annoyance and moved to the other pond. Pup followed, still splashing, and just as the camera was coming out to take a little video of this silly sweet pup and the healthy free ducks . . .

Sweet Pup turned into Villainous Duck-attack Pup.

I wasn't there. Thank goodness I wasn't there or I may never be able to pet Pup again, or walk lackadaisically as he sniffs mailbox posts, or let him curl up all 'cute and cuddly' while I read my book.

In the end, we don't know exactly what happened to the duck. I'm assuming the worst. I'm wishing he'd be okay and that the trickle of blood on his beak wasn't what it was.

It's never happened before and I hope it will never happen again. I'm sorry to be happy that I wasn't around when it happened, but it makes me a little ill just thinking about it.

Sorry, duck.

He was a bad, bad dog.

In case you wanted to learn how to make a taxidermy mouse into a mouse-duck, click here.

rain rain

The world is quite rainy today, and rather than fuss and fester over it I thought I'd poke around and find some nice photographs.

I found quite a lot of nice photos of rain. I'd like to say it was enough to make me appreciate our recent downpours that have now taken us into our near-65th day of showers (it might even be 165th, at least that what it feels like) but no. I still feel a little bitter.

I don't like getting wet every day. I do, however, like stomping in mud puddles. I don't like walking the pup down muddy roadways with giant potholes. He does, which makes it seem not quite so bad. How can it be bad when Pup is happily prancing around and sniffing?

Rain, the pros: the world smells a little sweeter after it rains. Things are clean, grass is greener, and it's like a magical carwash.

rain installation by stacee kalmanovsky courtesy of illusion.scene.360

splashing rain courtesy of evening sun

blue umbrella courtesy of guardian.co.uk