Saturday, March 28, 2009

Friends and Good Stuff

Freyr
Bernard

The Dog Party: anticipation
Greeting one's guests
Playing frisbee
Sharing one's toys
Friendly moments

Refreshments

Good Stuff
Product evaluation: new nylabone
Mmmm: Original Flavor
Ohhh, yesss!
I give it two paws up!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Wrenny's Songs of the Sixties; Wrenny Goes to School






The Durable Blue Dog: getting shorter (He still squeaks, though)



Brown-Eyed Girl


Can't Help Myself



Tired of Waiting For You


WRENNY GOES TO SCHOOL


Wrnny's classmates: Max (a puggle) and Shakespeare (Cavalier King Charles)



You are supposed to sit whenever we stop (I am NOT pushing on her hips; I am sliding my hand down to gently push on the back of her knees -- semi-successfully)



"Place:" she sits when she comes around into position



"Stay:" how long can you hold it?



Lookin' good for the teacher

Monday, March 2, 2009

Wrenny's Guide to Garden Evolution


Dendrobium nobile
, an Aunt Elinor heirloom



Survival of the fittest vegetation: this has become the unspoken but clearly designated "bathroom garden" (for which the humans are grateful, on several levels). Paths and open areas are being established (certain bromeliads have had to be removed and dismantled vigorously in more open areas) and leaf mulch from the adjacent oak tree is a pleasant bonus. At some distant date in June the humans will be able to analyze the outdoor feng shui thus created, and improve upon it -- if they must.



Turf enhancement: this place didn't have so much actual grass anyway, so conversion to open dirt is progressing ahead of schedule. Some well-placed and well-executed holes have mysteriously vanished, but bare areas around orange trees are promising potential sites for rolling and further excavation.



Good progress on turf removal is being made in the turn-around area used in Double Catch (see game rules below).

Double Catch

1. Engage human in game mode with playful lunging followed by flat-out circling.
2. Human throws ball. Dog chases ball. Dog retrieves ball and avoids human.
3. Human throws stick. Dog chases stick with ball in mouth.
Decision ensues: which item to carry while avoiding human?

4. Human retrieves un-selected item and throws it.

5. Game continues in all possible variations until human has had enough exercise.


Agent of garden evolution in action