In which we visit St. Petersburg for business and fun

Getting better acquainted with "Great-Grandmom"

We left Emily's car in Grandmom's garage for awhile.
We went shopping (at Petsmart, Wrenny's favorite store!)
We had dinner at the Chattaway (Wrenny lay patiently under the table)

We contemplated, and then took, a very nice walk.

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!

Wrenny wants you to see her being a good dog (mostly)

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

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

More News for Dogs

Wrenny REALLY loves the red rubber stick thing.

I'll fetch, but will I give it back?

Walking lessons: note the treat tummy-pack.

We don't always do it, however.

Now do I have your attention?

The Silence of the Lamb: Kim and Christian's present meets its fate.
But will there be a sequel? Needle and thread to the rescue.

It's not so bad in the den .....

---or hanging out with this quiet guy.

The only couch they let me sleep on.

The durable blue dog ( with only a small tail missing).

The DogBlog Begins

2/16/09: Took Emily to the airport, and returned to our own dog-in-a-box, who was sweetly happy to see us and be let out. We practiced walking on the leash, without much success.

While I was at rehearsal, Wrenny and Collins played laser tag nonstop. When he tired of it, she tried to get the pointer from the coffee table to give back to him. ("Do again!")

Home afterwards, she and I went out back. Peed but no poop? Walked around keeping an eye on her, in case she should figure out how to get out of the yard. Suddenly she began rolling frantically on her back, grabbed something and raced away from me, circling at high speed and stopping to roll. I couldn't catch her so I just went inside. When she finally came to the back door she was horribly pungent. We ambushed her and slid her into the bathroom for a late-night bath. Later, damp and clean-smelling again, she stuck close to me, sitting right by my side while getting as much stuffing as she could out of her squirrel. As bedtime came closer she seemed to worry until I showed her her bed next to ours, and brought her Emily's fleece blanket. Then she lay down gladly and slept.

2/17 morning: I went into the bathroom and when I came out, Collins was softly complaining and Wrenny was curled blissfully in the depression my body had made in the featherbed. Collins muttered about sleeping in the other room. The dog ignored him but got down when I insisted.

Observation: Plastic beads inside Beanie Babies do not vacuum up. The machine just pushes them ahead of it, or sprays them out to the side.
Conclusion: Beanie Babies do not make good dog toys.

2/18: In the night, dog-body steps hopefully onto bed. Humans react instantly:
Human #1: "Oohh, nooo."
Human #2: Come on, girl, OFF. get down. OK. Here's your bed. Good girl.
Dog: Sigh.

How can I cuddle Thee? Let me count the ways: I'll just climb up here -- no, I keep slipping off. Maybe I'll poke my snoot here and push --nope, not exactly right. Ooo-- body not so bendy. I'll lean harder. Maybe if I turn over and stretch out. Oh, scratch there please? Ah.

Dog-owner's haiku

Backyard, late at night:
Tired human with a shovel.
Just where was that poop?