Investigation Wrapped up in Heart baby case

A crime was committed in an Ottawa home late last night.  Heart Baby was ripped open, and her insides were methodically removed.  When questioned regarding the attack, Miss Gemini Cricket stated "I saw Hailey Bug clearly commit the crime.  Aunt C witnessed it as well."  Miss Bug initially denied all allegations, however when the below pictures were released, she plead guilty to the crime.  She cited her reason for the crime "Heart Baby was looking to lose some weight.  I was just performing liposuction."

The crime scene.

Heart Baby being shaken.

Miss Bug fleeing the scene.

In other news, Hailey Bug was seen taste testing taco salad near the microwave.  Since no picture evidence exists, Miss Bug continues to deny any wrong doings.

Day One Pictures

This is the only evidence of destruction on day 1!

Gemi was so excited to see me after work she was sticking to me like glue!

Our walk.  This was the best picture I could get. 

Gemi does not like having her picture taken with Lee!

A Talk about a Walk

Preamble:  Today was our first walk.  We went about 4k in just under an hour.  All 3 of us went.

Aunt C:  That was a nice walk girls.  Gemi - I didn't think you'd want to come.
Gemi:  Of course I wanted to go.  It's a beautiful day, and I love you Aunt C. 
AC:  Thank you Gemi!  Your score on the walk is 10 out of 10.  You are a wonderful walker!
G:  Of course I am.  That Hailey though.  I think she should get a 3.
Hailey:  No way, I did everything asked of me.  I walked, didn't I?
AC:  Hailey, yes, you were very good, but I think there's still room for some improvement.  I say 7.5 out of 10.
H:  No fair!  You said walk.  I walked.  That's a 10!
AC:  That's true, but you did pull a fair amount.  And you were all over the place.
H:  But I was walking.  This marking system is garbage!
AC:  Well Hailey, I appreciate your concerns, but you do need to work on being a nice walker.  And you needed 20 treats just to walk at a 7.5. 
H:  Sigh.  I still love you Aunt C, even if you're unfair.

Note:  Gemi is currenly napping in an undisclosed place, and Lee is on the couch using my foot as a pillow.  I can't be all bad.

Super Aunt - Not only a Dog sitter, but a Blog sitter!!!

This one's all about me, but I promise dog stories in the future!
I've dog sat for Gemi and Loki many times.  It's always been a challenge in some way, usually due to the fact that I was running an animal hospital with my cat taking medication, and Loki needing to be stuffed full of pills, up to 8 at a time, and at times go as far as force feeding him.  I really don't mind, it's a lot of work, but it's a nice way to bond with my nieces and nephews.  I knew Loki very well from the time he was a puppy, as I lived with him for the first part of his life.  And I've had plenty of time to bond with Gemi in the past 6 years.  The cats are easy, I've lived with them a lot, and well... they're cats.  Low maintenance!

This time might be the most daunting dog sitting gig I've had thus far.  Hailey is a handful.  She and I get along very well so far, but we've never been alone, without Lady there to lend a hand or give instruction.  LeeLee's sweet and nice, but she is extremely curious and busy.  We have lofty plans to go for walks every morning and evening to ensure lots of exercise.  We're recruiting friends like D and Auntie K to get us to the park.  We'll do whatever it takes to ensure enough exercise happens and LeeLee is a happy girl.  I'm not afraid of animal bodily functions.  I can deal with illnesses of all types and administer medicine easily if I have to.  I know the basic commands.  But... I also know Hailey finds new and creative ways to be a handful on a regular basis.  Today is s a great example... see the below Blog entry, and add to that an additional escape just happened.

But despite the fact that I know that the next 12 days will be a lot of work, I really look forward to getting to know my newest niece LeeLee, and to reconnect with my favourite Gemi.  What better way to bond than to experience the full day to day life with the pups!

Don't Go!

I fear Miss Hailey Bug has figured out that we are going on vacation and she is not. At least I am using to justify her very bad behaviour today. She has not been this bad for months, if ever!

This has been our day today – all before 10 am (and may I say I woke up in the best mood as it is the last day before holidays!)

1)      After 6 months, figured out a way out of the backyard. She was just between our house and the neighbours, so I was able to easily get her. But now on our to do list is dog proof the yard again . . . 

2)      I had the guest room door open as I was packing some things this morning. I am in my room getting something and I hear “ripppppppp” and there she is yanking on the comforter and has ripped a big hole in it. I believe she was doing this because she was trying to get the cat who had climbed into my suitcase.

3)      Our walk. I had Gemi tied to my left and Lee in my hand on the right. She was not walking today, she was stalking. She had been watching cheetahs hunt on TV yesterday, so maybe she learned from it. I finally put her around my waste because I couldn’t hold her anymore and the walk went a bit better.

4)      Got home and put her in the yard (and I was with her) and she tried to get out again. As I was digging out the tie out from under the snow, somehow I cut myself and had a handful of blood.

At this moment I am thinking I should have boarded the beast. Hopefully she will behave for Aunt C who is moving in and taking care of her (bet she is an angel!).  Aunt C is going to try and keep up the blog some while I am away. I can’t wait to read about their adventures (which I am sure will be fine!)

Bad Cookie

When presented with a cookie she does not like, Miss Cricket plays the "bad cookie" game. This involves placing the cookie in the middle of the floor and dancing around it. The moment the cookie becomes threatened by another (in other words, the moment it looks like LeeLee might want it), Miss Cricket needs to hide it.

Attempting to bury the cookie in the blanket

Trying to push the cookie through the blanket

Leap of Love

Miss Cricket has the worst habit for people she loves, she likes to jump up and bite them hard when they arrive at the door. Sometimes, if she can show restraint, she will get a toy and carry it in her mouth. This incompatible behaviour prevents her from biting.

While annoying and painful, this bite is a right of passage into Gemi’s very exclusive pack. Pack members include, Lady and Man, Aunt C, Auntie K, Dustin, Uncle Chris and Grammie.

Last weekend, Aunt C stopped by. Aunt C had a medium sized bag in front of her. Miss Cricket was so happy to see her, she jumped mouth open over the bag to give Aunt C the bite she deserved! Even though it hurt, Aunt C was impressed with her jumping.

The Fighter

Charges have been dropped against Miss Hailey Bug, who was charged with street brawling after 2 incidents last weekend. The first alleged incident involved Aunt C. In her excitement to see her Aunt C, Miss Bug jumped up and smacked Aunt C in the face as she tried to kiss her.

The second incident occurred on the eve of the perigee moon. To celebrate the closeness of the moon, the Lady was howling. After staring at the Lady, Miss Bug thought this howling was inexcusable and smacked Lady in the face (and managed to get her claw up the Lady’s nose). Apparently this was not enough of a punishment for Lady as she did it again which resulted in a second smack.

Miss Bug has shown remorse for her actions by giving kisses and being very cute.  The judge ruled this as time served and she has been released. She has been told to keep her paws to herself in the future.

Working for food

LeeLee received a life saver game from her Aunt C for Christmas. Here she is taking cookies out of it. She knows how this works, but has fun playing with it. Anything for food!

Gemi's turn

So she was not left out, Gemi too got a turn with the puzzle. Unlike LeeLee, Gemi had no desire to play with this. She thinks that having to work for her food is stupid!

Gemi looking at the bottle. "You want me to work to get some food?"

Gemi losing interested in the bottle and checking out what LeeLee has

Smart Dog

In attempts to keep our dog's mind busy, we purchased a toy that was suppose to keep her busy. It did for about 5 minutes before she solved it! (The next day she remembered exactly what to do, so it lasted a whole 2 minutes!) She still thinks it is fun.

Lee immediately figured out the food needed to come out of this hole.

The floor was slippery, maybe it will be easier in the bed.

She quickly figured out that by tipping the bottle like this the food fell out.

A play date from Miss Hailey Bug’s perspective

It started fun enough, we got to go in the car. I thought I was going to the park and I was so excited.  But then we drove and drove and drove and drove and I had to complain and my Lady was mean and told me I was going to have fun and to wait. I thought it was very rude of her to tell me to wait, because she is a bad waiter.

Finally, we arrived. She let Gemi and I out of the car and I had no idea where I was! I was very excited and so was Gemi. I could tell it was a house and I could smell lots of new things. As we got close to the house a little black thing came running at me. I mostly ignored it, I was too busy sniffing as my Lady guided me through a gate into a backyard. Then another Lady (I will call her new Lady) came out and so did another dog. Gemi and I really wanted to go into the house, but both Ladies made me wait a few minutes. I was sniffed by the other dogs but I did not care.

Then we got to go inside. Gemi and the other dogs, Pugsley, the black pug puppy, and Timo, the boxer, rottie, lab mix (who is old and sick) got to be off leash. I had to stay on mine. This is because not only where there 2 other dogs, but there were 3 little boys. The new Lady was worried I might knock the baby over.

I sniffed and sniffed and sniffed and really didn’t pay any attention to the people or dogs. Then I became really interested in watching the baby. What a curious thing a puppy sized person. I would have loved to kiss and hug him, but I was not allowed.

Pugsley was slightly annoying, doing all the play with me puppy things. Finally after I was sniffed out I played. We had a good time. I got to make puppy noises and bark. It was fun.

Then it was time to go home. I was so tired that I just slept the whole way home. Gemi was tired too. 

It was fun and I hope to do it again. Maybe next time I can stay off my leash because I was a very good girl.

Spring is here!

You know that spring has sprung when Miss Gemini Cricket spends as much time as possible on the deck working on her tan.

A shy girl caught in the act of tanning.

Pup Dreams

I am a chronic dreamer. It is only in my adult life that I have truly understood how rare a gift this is. Most mornings, I  remember at least parts of dreams. I can taste, feel, smell,  and see colours in my dreams. Some are so real that they are creepy. I have wicked nightmares that stay with me for days. I often solve problems/come up with ideas in my sleep. As long as I am not in a nightmare cycle I look forward to my dreams.

Perhaps because I am such a dreamer, I am very interested to know what my dogs are dreaming. Gemi rarely seems to be dreaming. However, Loki was a big dreamer and Miss Hailey Bug has dreams almost every day. She lies on her side, her little legs a running and she makes these cute little chirping noises. Is she chasing squirrels? Playing with other dogs? I would love to know what goes through her head in her sleep. If only she could tell us!

I need a blanket

It doesn't look comfy to me, but Miss Cricket was willing to snuggle on the legs of the lamp to enjoy the blanket

Generalization of wood eating

Lee's new hobby at the park. Eating sticks.  This has generalized to a basket at home.

Basket remains

Highlights from a week at the dog park

Lee listened to her Aunt C! She came back every time!

Lee’s new hobby – stick eating.

Seeing Lee bravely stealing a stick from a much larger Lab.

Watching Gemi slide on her bum ala Thumper in Bambi across the ice.

Gemi telling the humpy dog off and scaring him even though he was 5 times bigger than her.

Having to make Lee spit out a used condom.

It is always an adventure at the dog park!

Dozing

Socks!

Weekend dress up!

Lee modeling the green cat socks

Going for a walk and walking the socks off

Sleeping friends

Lee and Nin snuggling

Beauty Parlour

The world has been unbalanced. Miss Cricket has been having her bi-monthly day at the spa and Miss Bug has not. When the weather was nicer and Miss Bug was walking on the roads her nails were not so bad. However, being at the park and running in the snow has lead to long nails. These long nails have caused some scrapes. Lady had been putting off doing this because she was afraid of what would happen.

Finally, the Lady got brave and took Miss Bug for a nail cut. When they first entered the parlour, Miss Bug put the breaks on. Miss Cricket had no idea where they were (she came for moral support) but was happy to be there. Once Miss Bug was in she relaxed. The Lady filled out the needed paperwork for a first visit. Then the Lady and Miss Cricket went for a walk in the store. Through the window into the parlour we could see it was taking 2 people to get Miss Bug on the table.

Reports from the spa director were that while nervous at first, Miss Bug did a great job.

Now that the Lady knows it isn’t a big deal, she will do a better job at making sure Miss Bug gets her share of days at the beauty parlour.

The Lady is still scared of taking her for a bath!

Play Time

Gemi getting Lee

A happy Gemi who just got Lee!

Lee trying to get Gemi

Look out here comes Gemi!

Yuck

Lee and Nin have become good friends. Besides air humping him, Lee really makes an effort to play with Nin. Sometimes she plays a little rough for Nin’s liking but he always gets away.

The other evening the two were having a nice time playing. Lee was fairly gentle and Nin was doing a great job at batting her in the face (which Lee loved). Once Nin had enough he turned to walk away. This is when the incident occurred. After sniffing Nin’s bum, Lee decided to lick it. This really ticked Nin off and he jumped to a safe spot and sat flicking his tail in disgust. This also totally grossed Lee out as she began to lick her lips in a manner suggesting she had a sour taste in her mouth. Hopefully the butt licking will not happen again.

Happy 6th Birthday Gemi!

Enjoying the sun at . . . .

any cost!

Happy Birthday to our favourite little, long, white dog!

The Woodpecker

A woodpecker has taken up residence at the dog park. He (or she as the case may be) has been active in the mornings (if we go later in the day we don’t hear him!).

The first morning we first heard him from across the park. Lee stopped and looked toward the sound, but continued to follow commands from me. As we walked the trail, we came closer to the sound. Lee became more interested; standing in her hunting position, left front paw lifted and folded back, ears alert, body frozen. Finally we came within 10 feet of the tree and Lee took off. She ran to the base of the tree, and engaged in behaviour that can be best described as trying to climb a tree. Her recall was not as stellar as usual. Then something else (it may have been the bad bird or something else I am not sure) got her attention and she took off down the hill, over the ravine to a small clump of evergreens and acted all crazy. After about 2 minutes she did return to me.

The next morning we were at the park we heard that bird again. She was great until we got close to it and again tried to climb the tree. Her recall became so bad, she ended up on leash for part of the walk (which was hard given how icy and hilly the path is). We now regularly hear it, with no problems.

I would love to know what that woodpecker is saying to taunt my dog the first day!

Friends?

Evidence has emerged the last few weeks that Gemini Cricket and Hailey Bug may actually be friends.

1)      Gemini has initiated play several times (including at the park).

2)      Gemini has decided to come to bed at the same time as Hailey.

3)      They have been found sitting closer together more often.

4)      There has been more tug being played.

5)      There is less growling.

6)      Body language experts analyzed this picture and said it indicated a level of comfort between the 2.

Maybe they will become best friends yet!

Don't do this at home!

Yoga is a forbidden activity in the house. When the Lady attempted this, it resulted in: barking; licking of face, head and neck (which is very distracting when one is trying to hold a plank); pawing in the face; attempts to stand on the Lady.  Note to self – next time find a room you can close the door to and lock the helpers out. It is not relaxing to do yoga with the dogs!

Glamour Shot!



Gemi showing off her new hair cut and the hated bows taken a few weeks ago but too cute not to share.
Hailey is glad she has velvet ears and can't wear bows!



Things that whine in the night

To the outside world it was a quiet night in the neighbourhood. Fortunately, Miss Hailey Bug knows what is really happening. Around 11 pm, Miss Bug alerted us to an invader in the backyard. She and Cricket alerted the neighbours and trapped the intruder under the deck.  After some convincing the troops were convinced we were safe and come inside..

The stress of the invasion caused Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Miss Bug. She was very upset and took refuge in her cave under the bed. There she laid whining and carrying on. Any noise, she would whine. After about 30 minutes she settled and went to sleep.

Around 1 am, the whining started again. Bug was whining and crying and had the house awake. The Lady and the Man were done saying soothing things to her and demanded she leave the cave. She still didn’t come out. Finally, while trying to be supportive for our PTS disorder sufferer, they really needed to go to sleep (some of the pack had to get up and work this morning), the Lady and Man got up and started peering into the cave. Turns out our brave solider had gotten herself stuck. She couldn’t get out from her cave. With some help she was able to get out and make settle for the rest of the night.

Now was the intruder or being stuck more traumatic for our Lee? We will never know!

Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life:

Totally not about my dogs, but I am taking part in the relay as part of "All I want for Christmas is a Cure to Cancer."

For more info, please visit:

Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life:

Are we being too loud?

This was not mid scratch. Miss Bug sat like this for over 10 minutes the other day. Perhaps we were being too loud!

More redecorating

Note from designer Hailey Bug: "Vertical blinds are out."

Bad Witch!

On the weekend the Wizard of Oz was on. I thought my TV watching dog might have issues with Toto. However, even when he was barking she didn’t acknowledge him.

The scene that put her over the edge was just after Dorothy arrived in Oz. It was the bubble that Glinda the good witch arrived in that made her crazy. As soon as it appeared on the screen Miss Lee was barking and growling. She ran up to the screen and when she couldn’t get the bubble from the front she went behind the TV to try and get her. It was only when Glinda was fully on the screen she settled down.  All these years I thought Glinda was the good witch, apparently I was wrong, she is bad!

Where's the fur?

A patch of fur has mysteriously disappeared from behind Nin’s ear. When questioned by the authority Nin said he wasn’t even aware that he had lost some fur.

Investigators questioned other residents in the house. Miss Gemini Cricket suggested “male patterned baldness.” This was ruled impossible by a medical examiner. Bagheera Pants suggest “that horrible black beast they call Hailey.” When asked about this Miss Bug told investigators “I like to eat a lot of things but not fur, haven’t you seen all the hair on the floor.”  The investigation continues.