Busy as Busy is...

Well we are doing pretty good.

Charlie believes at times that this little creature is a tiny monster and an affront to his Pekinese calmness. The Dachshund in him wants to play but only with dignity.

She is his Ying to his Yang, which is what I expected in getting a Terrier [Terror] mix.

I took them both for a walk in the summer meadow just after the sun came up. She followed Charlie everywhere except when she got distracted by a blade of grass.

Charlie allowed it and enjoyed his morning walk.

Hannah can be a wild child, spinning and playing on her mat.

She likes to bark at her reflection in the stove and does all the puppy things that make us laugh.

We take a few walks a day because the weather is decent and we all need the fresh air. 

Hannah understands who is boss and Charlie is more tolerant of her shenanigans while out walking. 

The overnight went well, Hannah is used to a crate since she was born in a Rescue and has lived her first 6 weeks in and out of crates. The foster mom does have a play yard for her dogs and they get out often.

Hannah cried once overnight and I took her out to potty at 1AM. She did her thing and was quiet when I put her back in the crate and fell back to sleep. She slept until 5AM. 

We spent some time on the porch yesterday soaking up the nice weather and sunshine. Charlie took his spot on the bench and played 'overseer' of the yard.

 

It's super hard to get photos of Hannah as she is so busy. If I kneel down with the camera, she is running to me. She has already learned to come whenever I squat. I'll keep working on that.

What happened in the shot below surprised me. Charlie was snoozing next to me, I put Hannah in my lap and she fell asleep then slowly squirmed over Charlie to be next to his warm body. He only gave her a look then he went back to doggy nap.

I am getting other things done during doggy naps. Hannah was in the crate yesterday morning and slept soundly through my vacuuming and mopping of the floors.

I did laundry, dusted, cleaned up footprints [so they can make more] and re-arranged the living room. Hannah slept through it all.

I'm guessing that spending her early life in a noisy environment made her immune to the noises. That is a good thing. When she naps, she naps hard. When she plays, she plays hard.

Such is a puppy's life.

This is what things looked like just before I called it quits for the day. 

We were all tired and Hannah had another quiet night with one potty break around midnight.

She sleeps in the weirdest positions!

Today we are going to see how a car ride goes for the both of them. She'll be in her crate, Charlie in his car seat. 

We are going to take a walk at the Reserve on the paved trail since we have entered 'Mud Month'.

I'm hoping to start spotting some migrating birds.

Just stuff

This is our Mini horse crop out. We purchased him from a friend many years ago. His job while we were still breeding for mules was to tease the mare and get her ready.

He is an expert an not getting wrapped up in the tie out line. I've dubbed him my self propelled mower who also does fertilizing at the same time.

He may as well be out in the yard instead of his winter pen. You'd think after doing nearly 20 years of yard work, he'd pick up the pinecones for me and pile up the sticks.

Lazy pony! He just does his thing.

I took a short walk in the woods on the way to go pick up my mail. I'd ordered a skort to try out this summer. A skort is a skirt with shorts in them. My son's wife wears them and says they are super comfortable. I thought I'd give them a whirl.

I also ordered a new t shirt for myself. I thought the graphic was appropriate for me. The shirt features a compass with the words below it: "All who wander are not lost..." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My youngest son and crew made a date to come and visit this weekend. Hmmm. More about that later or not. My eldest son predicted a Circus. He was right but I'd call it a Circus of Drama. It was not beautiful like the Cirque du Soleil but a train wreck of consequences.

It will be a very long time before I decide he and his crew can visit again.

'Nuff said.

We did take a hike and I got to see the wonderful Swans! They were so beautiful. I didn't bring my long long lens because I was herding kids like cats. But I did catch one pretty decent shot of the Swans.

A couple of my younger grand kids enjoyed floating a rubber ducky in a lazy little stream we found.

When the Duckie got stuck, they'd push him along with sticks.

The shot below is a photo of my second oldest grand daughter, Lily. She is carrying her puppy named Oakley in her jacket as he was tired and cold.

The kids enjoyed the hiking and adventures. 

Well. In other news, the weather turned frigid on Sunday and will warm up once again through Tuesday and then we are back to winter with a freezing mixture which is typical for March.

I have a 'date' to go hiking with another 19 yr old tomorrow. She was my neighbor for a few years. I've known her and her siblings and mom since she was 9 years old. I'm looking forward to that.

First I have to take some naps to get back to feeling human again after the circus came.

Mini dogs

I've always loved BIG dogs. Nike was a cross between a Belgian Shephard and a Golden Retriever. Missy was a Samoyed/Lab. Nice and big.

I raised a litter of orphan hound dogs in our tiny kitchen of our tiny house and they did move outside and left our place to become working dogs. This was over 20 years ago.

However I yearned for a house dog after meeting Rich.
He found a tiny terrier mix dog and we had Xena. And she was a warrior. She was a Fiest Terrier and was very aggressive.

She only lived for 4 yrs. In the end it was her aggressive hunting and attitude that did her in.
I mourned her. She had been tough as nails and had more attitude than most any dog I'd ever known.

Sometimes she'd take off and come back exhausted.


Morris.
Well no explaining there. 14 years of an incredible friendship.
And he had a great job.

He helped train any hound dog puppies that came to our farm.

Dixie who was 'trained' by Morris has helped train Charlie.

And today it was Charlie's turn to help out with a puppy!

Meet Basil.
Our neighbor's new puppy. A Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu mix!

Not such a great photo, but you can see that Basil will be taller than Charlie, however...
Charlie is a tough little guy and ...

paid Basil no mind when she tried to 'lead' him.

Mini dogs.

Are we having fun yet?

I am.

Puppy Piles and Love

I've kept in touch with Charlie's Human Mom.

I found out that there was another litter of puppies due on July 28th or somewhere there abouts.
I used messenger and told Judy that I'd love to come and take photos of the puppies.



I brought Charlie's home made car seat to show Judy.
And...this happened...

I think they liked it!
This is Scooter on the bottom and Sophie on the top. Pekingese dogs. Adorable and very friendly.

Sophie's pups were playing puppy pile in the yard.

Only a stone cold heart wouldn't melt with this scene.

I brought a basket and put a pillow and a blanket in it. They loved it.
See the pup with the green collar? SHE picked me. Well so did the one with the blue collar.

I saw this look through the lens and my heart melted into little puddle of mush.

Thankfully, Sophie walked by and the puppies saw the moving snack bar.

And Sophie took care of them.

After snacking the pups were ready for a nap of sorts.
I put them back in the basket they climbed over one another and ...

...fell into puppy slumber land in mixed up little piles.

Sophie climbed into my lap while I sat on the grass and gave me loving snuffles.

I stayed for a while after putting the camera away and talked with Judy. What a great gal.
We enjoyed visiting with each other.

And...yet, I still wanted to go grab the one with the green collar. She just.
Well.
I know Rich would have a fit.
But.
Sigh.

I mean...

Goodness...

Sorry Charlie!

I've always wanted to use that phrase on a pet. My father coined that phrase many years ago when he created Charlie The Tuna.

Charlie came into our lives on the first of March. It was not planned. On the 3rd we had Steph, Steve, and the grand kids come for the weekend. Charlie got to play with their beagle, Angel.

I mean really, is this not cute? They really did so well together. I even thought of titling this photo as "Charlie's Angel". Oh how retro TV!

Charlie explored the great outdoors. I could not resist laughing at the size of him next to Rich's truck.

Little Puppy, Big Dreams.

How on earth will Charlie ever pee on that tire???

When we got the call that my MIL had fallen and 'can't get up',  the tone of everything changed. After a stay in the hospital and several evaluations, my MIL has been taken to a nursing home for rehab and further evaluations.
It has been a very stressful week with family.

But Charlie has been the source of laughter and amusement along with distraction.

Charlie discovered snow during the little blizzard we had. He got stuck in the deep snow and figured out how to make his way around in tracks and footsteps of humans.

Yesterday was nice in the afternoon.
When we got back from the VA. Charlie spent time with me outside exploring.

His potty training has gone very well considering all of the disruptions we've had this week.
He has excelled at crate training too.

He is learning ... or teaching me some Charlie communication. One or two whirls near the rugs at either door mean poop time. Sometimes a paw on my foot with a whine means pee time or nap time.
No problem, we are figuring it out.

He has developed a ravenous appetite.

I don't have any action shots of him tearing about with his toys but he spends a lot of time running around with them.
Sometimes he gets the zoomies. When he hits the slippery kitchen floor he simply drops onto his tummy and does a four paw drift as he slides and in a wink he is up and running the length of the kitchen.

He has begun leash and 'area' training. I wish I had a lighter rope to use. I think I will have to go see if I can find something at the hardware store.

What I mean by 'area' training is letting Charlie understand that he can only go about 20 feet from me and stay in that 'area'. He needs to keep an eye on me and pay attention.
He is too young for much, but he can learn to come when called and to stay close. He is doing that fairly well except when he is in the yard pouncing on pine cones and maiming them.

During this week, Charlie has acted like a therapy dog. He makes people laugh with his antics and without thinking, Rich scoops him up and carries him while petting him.
We know how well petting an animal can sooth the soul.

We've needed some soul soothing this week.

He is little. His heart is big.

And yesterday morning when he got under foot I must have stepped on his toes. He squeaked and I said a big laugh, "Sorry Charlie!"

What Good IS He?

I walked into my tax preparer's office and sat down in the waiting room.

I knew I'd have a wait, but I also knew that if I didn't get this job done, I'd put it off.
I'd put in an application to look at a 2 yr old dog and a 10 week old dog on an adoption site. I figured to get myself 'approved' and then look around.

The phones were ringing and the accountant's daughter was trying to answer phones and keep her 3 year old daughter busy. I called Ginger over and asked her to show me what she was playing with. We talked quietly, she showed me her DVD's and told me who was in the videos.

Then she said something about puppies and I inquired with her mom when it was my turn to hand in my paperwork. The little girl scooped up a puppy and handed it to me. It was tiny! So little! And it looked like Dixie!

Mini Dachshund and Pekingese? Well. Not a terrier, not a robust large dog, but...
The little male pushed his nose into the space under my chin. Oh no. I was in trouble.
I had thought about this before. For me, trying to repeat a pet that has died and then always trying to compare the new dog to the old was sort of a mistake.

This guy would be a whole new experience.
"I'll take him."

I dropped off my taxes and then went to pick some things up. I wondered if I'd just had made an awful mistake. What on earth was Rich going to say?

When I picked up the pup, I announced his name. Charlie. Charlie The Tuna. Now those who may have followed me from a gazillion years ago would know that my father created Charlie The Tuna. He'd also worked on the Morris the Cat campaign.
Now you know where these odd names come from.

Charlie rode home with me.
I walked up to the porch and saw Rich through the window.
He didn't see Charlie until I set him on the floor in front of him.

A look of displeasure crossed his face. He frowned, he said. "I thought we were going to wait. And...what is this?"
"This is Charlie. Charlie The Tuna, but you can call him Charlie. He is mini doxxie and Pekingese."

"What is he good for?"
"You'll see."
In fact, I was pretty sure he'd soon see.
"What is he?"
I told him again.
"Good for?"

I started to set up dishes and food.
"He is black and tan colored," I offered.
"Hmm."
I put Charlie in his arms.
Charlie snuggled in.
Rich smiled.
That was what Charlie was good for.

Soon after Rich was telling me how to set up Charlie's dishes and food. He and  Charlie supervised my work.
Rich laughed.

We had to give Charlie his first 'crate session'. He barked while we did chores. I was feeding the bulls when Rich called up to me.
"I'm going in. Charlie is setting up a fuss!"

Charlie was being let out of his crate by the time I got to the door. They supervised my cooking.
We took a break for some play time. The Lime Green Grunting Hedgehog was a hit as well as the tennis ball chasing. They were huge though compared to him.

We decided to sit and watch a program on the couch. Rich arranged the red blanket so it was next to him. He reached down and picked up Charlie.

This morning Rich is having his coffee with Charlie in his arms.

What Good is He?
Oh, you tell me.

I think you have it figured out.

The Talk

Him: You don't want a pup during this weather you need to wait until spring.
Me: Spring is here. Look at the mud and the weather.
Him: Um. Yeah. Okay. I miss him too.

Me: Too soon?
Him: Big Shrug

I show him some dogs that are up for adoption. He smiles. He knows I can't do without a canine underfoot.

For those who want to tell me that Dixie should come in. Let us recall the size of my cottage and the size of Dixie. Dixie has been an outside dog since she was 4 months old. Let it be my decision.
I've had outside dogs for 20+ years. I've never been without an inside dog. My dog life began the summer we brought home a puppy. I could be wrong, but I think it was about 1967? We added a second dog soon after that.
I think the math puts me as a long time dog owner for what? 51 years?

Maybe I should wait. Maybe I shouldn't. I still listen for that pitter patter on the floor.
I still ache to put my hand down and find a cold wet nose.

I still ache to cuss out Morris for getting me up at 4am to go potty and then insist on eating his breakfast. It was irritating, but it was comforting too.

Me: How about this one?
Him: What is it?
Me: A mixed up dog. Young. 10 weeks?
Him: Well.
Me: Look at that ...
Him: Hmmm, looks like this litter had more than one daddy. [they can you know]

A bit later.
Me: Hey, look at this.
Him: What on earth?
Me: Daschund, beagle, and lab or something?
Him: Odd.
Me: Housebroke.
Him: Ugly, kind of.
Me: Yep. That is cool.

I do some research, this 'ugly' dog is being fostered somewhere near by. I fill out the on line application so I can be background checked. The only thing they don't ask of me is to give over my first born son.
I inquire if I can visit the dog. I'd like to meet him. Perhaps it is not a good fit. But at least I would be satisfying curiosity.

I find another two dogs. Housebroke, spade, neutered, up to date on all the...yadda yadda...
Medium sized. Hmmm. Smaller than Dixie. Energetic like Dixie. I put a note to self to email the place to see if I can drive up there. 

We go to bed and lay there talking. His mother and her situation is on our minds. Geographically I am the closest person to help her. Rich can't. But at the same time, I have him to take care of.
This winter has been extremely hard on his well being. He is becoming a bit frail. The COPD, throat cancer, and stroke are not kind to him.
He doesn't want me trying to be his caregiver and his mom's caregiver. Not out of selfishness but out of kindness. He knows how hard it is for me when he has 'episodes'.

He also understands the importance of me being able to hike and exercise for my mental and physical health.
I need to take care of the farm too. The animals need tending.

Which reminds me....looks like a good week for fence mending, fixing, and brush piling.

I may take that drive to look and see.
I may look at the 'ugly' dog.

And I may decide to wait.
Only my heart can decide.

The Home Invader ~by Morris

I had no warning, no notice that I was going to be invaded over the past weekend by a...puppy.  

Surely my very own 'little people' didn't do this on purpose!

The first thing we had to get done was to go for a walk together.  We went to a hay field and decided to get acquainted.

I know people think this is rude, but this is absolutely the quickest way for dogs to get data collection and information about the other dog.
I have yet to see a human use this method to quickly get an idea of what another human has done and other useful information.

It was hot and muggy but both of us felt like romping in the tall grass.  Angel,... the Beagle had much more energy than I did though.

She literally ran circles around me.

Oh the wonders of being a puppy!  Some days I'd like to have that back and then I think I am sure content to sleep on the couch...

When she needed a rest she just flopped down in the grass and took a breather.

Everyone seemed taken by her beautiful face and floppy ears. Okay, she was pretty.  And pretty annoying too. Although outside and off the leashes we had a pretty good time.

I even think she was kind of cute in a way.

She even gave me a... 'kiss' !!!

I guess I liked it, I didn't bite her or even growl.  Maybe I was just too worn out?
We really did enjoy each other's company while hiking. 

Inside the house it is a very different story.  I don't like another dog invading 'my space' and I admit, I think I was jealous that my little people got a little dog of their own.
Hurrumph.

Angel was very well behaved and SHE and Farm Guy were all gooey over her.

I do know that I got worn out...

And she did too!

I heard that Angel and Ariel had to go take a snooze after one of our hikes.

I guess she can come again.  I'll try not to be grouchy about it, but I am an old man set in his ways.
Maybe one day I'll get used to Angel in the house and then again, maybe I won't.

After all if I get too cozey with another dog, I end up having to share with them...

Like this photo of myself and Teslin in 2006...

But Teslin and I have known each other since puppy hood. 
She can be grouchy too.  I guess maybe we have both grown older and grumpier about our dog spaces.

That said, I will do some resting and await Angel's return.
She was pretty nice, even I have to admit that.