Updated: For the Guys of Blogville

Girls, look away - this is for guys only.

As part of Guys Day Out, with Hailey's permission (she is the boss after all), we will be hosting a camping, hunting, fishing day at our place.

Lady doesn't have the ability to photoshop (someday she will learn she promises) so to participate send us a picture of you camping, hunting, fishing or another way of enjoying the great outdoors.

Please send the following to leeandphodATbellDOTnet by March 20th.
Updated: Thanks to Molly the Wally for letting me know Lady entered our email address wrong!

The name of all the animals in the picture (we want to screen out sneaky girls)
Your blog
Your picture

Hope to see you there!

FFHT - Zaphod's Tail

Today we are participating in Murphy and Stanley's FFHT. It is easy to do. Write a post with this month's key phrase.

Today's Tail is brought to you by Zaphod

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Once upon a time, there was a handsome dog who didn't have a name. He lived with the cruelest of people and after slaying a dragon, he escaped. 

On his own, he wandered the streets, weary of people. One day, he was captured by a man and taken to jail. This handsome dog thought, "this is the end". But he was wrong. A nice lady came and took him out of jail and took him to a house.

At this house, the handsome dog was named Zaphod. While he was a little nervous to be with people, his gentle nature made everyone who met him fall in love with him. He lived with this nice lady for a few weeks. She told him, this was temporary, some day he would have a forever home.

Zaphod was nervous about this. What if evil people were at his forever home? What if he had to run away and live on the streets again. What if?

Finally, his day came. Zaphod was taken to his new home.

While it took a bit of time, Zaphod finally realized "It was so much better than I could ever have imagined."

He has people who love him

A sister to chase

A sister to wrestle with

Lots of food to eat

Bush to explore

Water to swim in and things to fetch

He lived happily ever after.

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For the Guys only. Come back tomorrow for a special announcement!

Project Hailey - Another Special Walk

Sunday was the warmest day we had in weeks. From January 1, 2015-to February 20, 2015 we had 45 days below -15 and 30 below -20, making it the coldest winter on record. We broke the record form 1888.

Sunday was a lovely -8 C. Given how good Hailey has been through this terrible winter and with her cousin Emma, I decided she should get another special walk. She and I went out for a lovely walk. It was the longest walk we have taken since before Christmas.

Since I only had one dog, I could take some pictures on my phone.

Walking down our private road

Checking out the main road

The hills are beautiful on a winter's day

Listening to the birds by the hay field

We have been lucky that the past few days have also been warmer during the day and we could finally get some more walks in. Maybe spring is coming!

Wordless Wednesday - Hailey and Lady

Dental Health Month - Confessions of a Neglectful Lady

February is dental health month. Today is the day I confess, I have been neglectful in my pet's dental health. When we first moved to this house, I was great. We were brushing teeth at least 3 times a week (as recommended by my vet). But then it stopped being a habit. The toothpaste expired and I didn't buy new stuff. Life happened and for far too long, brushing hasn't happened.

Now, that being said, we aren't totally neglectful. The pups get dental treats daily. We have antlers to chew on. It is just the formal brushing that is not getting done.

The neglect has been reinforced by my history with pets and dental issues. Bagheera lived to be 19.5 without ever brushing his teeth and without any problems. Loki had a heck of a lot of problems, but no dental ones (other than his crazy teeth). Nin did need some dental work, but at 15. Gemi also had dental work done at age 6. So far, Hailey and Zaphod have not really had problems.

I am hoping that today's blog hop will inspire me to go out and get new toothbrushes and start brushing away!

National Dog Cookie Appreciation Day

While it is dog cookie appreciation every day in our house, today we will formally celebrate it. 

Waiting patiently

Zaphod appreciating them

Hailey appreciating them

Emma appreciating them

Black and White Sunday - I Said Throw It

Zaphod

How Phod Got So Snowy

On Wednesday, I shared a picture of my Snow Phod.  This is how he gets his face so snowy.

First you run really fast in the deep snow:

Then you dig around for chuck in it.

Then you lay in the snow and chew on chuck

Then you flip snowy chuck up and run back for more.

The result is snow face.

________________________________________________

Hailey weighs in on the "Guys Day".

I missed the follow up discussions about this yesterday (Lady had to consult out of town for the day and took her computer, sigh) but I gather there is some discussion about if there should be a Guy's Day. I for one think the guys should go have a day. I love Phod, but if he is gone for a day, then I get all the love and don't have to share my toys. Sounds perfect to me! 

Feline Friday - More Snuggle Time

Hailey is a very particular sleeper. She can be touching you if she is the one who has decided she is touching you. If you happen to move and touch her or get to close she tells you off. This sleeping habit means there is not a lot of snuggling going on in my house. However, Hailey will let Nin sleep right next to her (most of the time). I am glad because Bagheera and Nin use to snuggle all the time and I am sure he is lonely.

Hailey and Nin

When I wrote about Emma stealing Nin's food on Tuesday, people suggested we put it up high. In the past this is what we have done, but now our 19.5 year old Nin doesn't reliably jump up that high. We can't have it in a high enough space that he will be able to get it and Emma won't. Sigh! 

Hailey is Special

In this cold weather, with the deep snow, I don't think twice about putting Emma and Phod out back without a human. This is a good thing because Emma has to go out to pee every 1-2 hours (and given the extreme cold, I am not up to going out that often - we have had over 30 days so far this year that have been below -25 C/-13 F).

The first time I let those two out and Hailey realized she wasn't joining the other two, she gave me a look. Her look said "why do those dogs get to go out and I the princess have to stay in?"  I looked at her and the first answer that came to my head was "Hailey, it is because you are extra special. You are so special we are worried that if we let you out, we would lose you and we can't have that." She hasn't given me the look since so either this talk did the trick or she has realized it is just tooooooooo cold!

It was warmer Wednesday (yesterday) afternoon while I was working from home. By warmer I mean -15 C or so (it was -30C or so in the morning). To make up for her lack of exercise, Hailey and I went for a special walk, just the two of us. She was soooooo happy. Let's hope we get a few more warmer days! 

Hailey doing the flamingo, one of her moves to protect her feet when it is below -25C

Wordless Wednesday - Snow Phod

Emma Update 2

We have had Emma with us for a week and a few days now. Overall, it continues to go well. We have had 2 accidents which we are sure were Emma's.

Our biggest problem is keeping her from sliding under the gate to the laundry room to eat Nin's food. Our 2 are too big for such escapades, but Emma is about Nin size and can sneak under. This leaves poor Nin without food and the cat food seems to upset Emma's tummy. Our plan is going to be to feed Nin before bed (as Emma is locked in the bedroom with us) and in the morning after Emma is put in the crate for the day when we are at work.

Phod loves having his cousin Emma to play with. She plays tug the way he likes. He always lets her win. Hailey gets jealous of Phod playing with Emma, so she is playing more too.

Emma, not enjoying the cold

Happy Family Day!

In the province we use to live in, Ontario, and where Lady still works, it is Family Day. This means Lady is working from home today (she works for herself, so sometimes she gets to do this) but it means nothing different for Man (he works in Quebec).

From our pack to yours, happy Family Day!

Love Hailey, Emma, Lady, and Phod

Nin is absent from the picture as he was sleeping and we let sleeping Nin's sleep and Man is absent because he was taking the picture!

Black and White Sunday - Hailey

Happy Valentine's Day

See Beautiful - Winter

I am having a really hard time enjoying this winter. It has been really cold. I have not been able to spend enough time outside. I have been working hard to see the beauty in it, and the other day I did.

The snow, my boy, and a beautiful sunset through the trees of our yard. It really can be beautiful.

Training Thursday - Off Leash

Because it has been too cold to be outside for too long, and because we know the snow will slow her down, we have been letting Hailey have some very closely supervised off leash time. This allows her and Phod to have great plays in the driveway. One of us, usually the Man, stands at the end of the driveway. The other, stands at the top. Hailey has her leash so she is easier to grab if she stops listening. We have done this a few times recently and she has been very good. Hopefully this will continue!

Wordless Wednesday - Emma and Phod Run

Emma - the First Few Days

I am pleased to report that the first few days with Emma have gone really well. She was a bit whiney after Uncle Chris left on Saturday, but since then she has been part of the pack and adjusted well to the routine. She has been asking to go out (whining by the door), so no accidents. She has found it a little cold here (it is usually a couple degrees colder where we live then in the city and we keep our house cooler), so I dug out one of the last of the small dog sweaters I have for her to wear.

We are happy with how things are going. Fingers crossed it continues!

Play time with Phod

Referee Hailey watches a game of tug

Thank you for all your bed advice. Will take that into account:)

Mischief Monday - Bed

We had 2 nice big beds in front of the fire, but last week the bed peer struck again.[Must call that Lead Detective Phod to sort out this mystery!] As this bed was a big Costco one, it didn't fit in the washing machine.  In the past  I have done lots to try and get the Costco ones clean without the washing machine, but they never come 100% clean. The bed peer has very strong smelling pee!

For a few days we had 1 bed by the fire.

There is only one bed, so I guess we should share

Then when I went for my monthly pet supplies, I looked for a second bed that would fit in the washing machine and said it could go in the washing machine, just in case this bed peer stops by again. The only bed they had was rather small, but I got it anyway. In an ideal world, I would remember to pick up all the beds before I left for work but adding one more thing to the morning is not going to happen.

The little bed is to the right

They have been taking turns using it. The big bed is the preferred one, and Hailey fake barked once to get Phod to leave so she could have the big bed.

The new bed is not perfect, but it works. I will feel guilty enough when I am in Costco later this month to buy another big one, that will get peed on, and I will get annoyed, and the circle of life will continue.

Phod fits on the bed

Black and White Sunday - Snuggly Zaphod

He was a super snuggly boy yesterday.

Animal Imitation

Hailey as a kangaroo.

Ready to leap into action!

Emma arrives later today. I am not looking forward to the first few days. She is a completely spoiled girl, who is use to being carried around or held all the time when Uncle Chris is home. [He does leave her to go to work]. She can get away with a lot of behaviour I don't like and she doesn't have to listen. It is going to take a week or so to get her back into our routine. then it will be fine! 

Blogville Pawlice Academy - Answers to Your Questions

First, we are thrilled to report that we reached 100 followers this week! YAY!

Now to answer your questions and comments.

From Hailey's Class:

Angus said "your jail kinda sounds like our home". - The purpose of our jail will be rehabilitation. We want to be fair and kind to others.

Bella, Roxy and Dui asked "They get chicken and rice?" That is what is currently on the menu cause that is what I could get at Costco. The flavour may change, but it will be something like that.

Whitley said "Can I steal some chicken and rice?" I highly discourage members of the police force from stealing. You don't want to end up on the wrong side of the law. There is plenty of good food in the cafeteria for the police force, so I suggest going there for a visit when you are hungry.

Top Cop Bites asked "did you have to entice any of the Juniors with donuts." After years of living with a behaviour analyst, I did use positive reinforcement to help the juniors learn.

Princess Leah asked if she could volunteer for shredding duties. When it is time to shred, I will call for volunteers. We will make day out of it.

Charlie is concerned about the amount of paperwork. If you put ticks in the boxes throughout the shift, it will be easy to count. There are also some good data taking apps we can look at learning to help.

Do I have to log every donut? The answer is you have to log everyone you eat while awake. We need these numbers to make sure we have enough made daily for the force.

Riley asked if he could nap with the prisoners and if he needed to bring his own blanket. At least one guard needs to be awake and on duty at all times. We will work out a schedule that ensures everyone gets the naps they need. We have a full equipped nap room, so while you can bring a special bed or blanket, it is not required.

KB asked if we read them their rights. This is a topic that was covered in Phod's class on Thursday and yes we do. She also asked if Easy got out. After a nap, we let him out!

Sully and Pierre reminded us that we need to search the mouths of those we arrest. I didn't make that clear, but we will give them a full nose to tail search.

Finley is worried the squirrels will be able to escape through the bars and wants to shake them instead. While, I appreciate your desire to shake a squirrel, in Blogville we are going to try and be fair. We do have special cells for smaller creatures, the one we used for our demonstration was for larger ones.


From Zaphod's Class

Dui  and Princess Leah asked if he could have a cookie too while integrating suspects. Of course, one can't work on an empty stomach.

Whitley is concerned all the cookies will get eaten during the interrogations. If you are concerned, make sure to take the suspect back to the precinct. Hailey has a HUGE supply there. You know when you watch the show extreme couponing and they have rooms of stuff, imagine all of that cookies and imagine it 87 million times bigger.

Princess Leah asked if she could have a puppicinio to wash down her cookie? As long as it doesn't interfere with your duties, go crazy!

Ojo and Cobi wonder if the fruit cookies could work. I know there are some who may find these things to be food (for example Hailey) but those of us who don't think poop is a food group, would not enjoy such a thing. Therefore, fruit cookies can be used with caution.

Ruby is upset there are no margaritas on the job. Save those for your off time Ruby.

Riley wants to know if we can torment our peeps with the new flashy beasts. While they are meant for official pawlice business, one does have to master their use, so it may be necessary to practice A LOT at home.

Finley again would like to shake the squirrels. Finley, I think you need an extra sensitivity class. Bites, Ranger, we better set that up.

Charlie wants to know if a suspect doesn't cooperate still, what can he do. These are advanced interrogation techniques that will be used by senior officers only.

Where are the donuts? We had some, but they gotten eaten. Sasha and Speedy are bringing more over in a minute.

Good luck on your tests recruits! 

Blogville Pawlice Academy - Detective Work with Zaphod

Hi class, I am here to help you with detecting. 

First, you must always be on the look out and smell out for clues. No sight or smell is too small not to be included. While it is important to smell and look at everything, it is important not to get distracted by unnecessary smells.  Out in the field you will be bombarded with smells, it is really important to follow the path you are on. I suggest going out and practicing smells and learning to block out the unnecessary ones. Always trust your nose.

When interviewing witnesses it is important to be calm and gentle. Scaring witnesses will not help you with your case and could be thrown out of court. I suggest taking your time, getting to know them a little, and offering them fresh cookies and water. I do not suggest using cookies with fruit in them. Those won’t help get the truth, as your witness will be too distracted by the yucky taste. Rather stick to the basics that include meat. You want to use open-ended questions and be looking for the truth and not just evidence that supports your personal beliefs about a crime. We want to have a fair justice system. We want to minimize false arrests. In the cases a witness is refusing to cooperate, pressure can be placed on them. You can take their cookie away or whap them with your tail.

Once you have found clues, it is very important to secure the area. We don't want our crime scenes or evidence to be contaminated. We will secure the area, take pictures of everything and document everything carefully. This will help our evidence stand up in court. 

In the event you have to make an arrest, there are three key points to keep in mind.

Ranger

1) Class, you are authorized to use force, however we do not shoot law breakers or criminals, we do not use bullets, we only stun them with poopie pellets till we can subdue them, or capture them for Frankie's Court.

2) Once the perp has been apprehended, it is essential to make sure it is the right person. A good butt sniff will help assure a positive idea.

3) You have to read them their rights. Here is the code. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say, can and will be used you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you do not have one, one will be appointment to you. You have the right to a cookie, if you do not have one, one will be provided. Do you understand your rights?

Once the arrest has been made, they will be transferred to jail.

With Ranger's help, we will go out and practice our skills. I will provide some feedback.

Arty, Abbey and Mickey, that is a great example of marking evidence for pictures. Make sure no one lifts a leg on any of those markers, as it would ruin our evidence. 

Charlie, you have done a great job at securing the scene and I can see you are keeping a great eye out for evidence, witnesses and the perp. 

Freya Rose and Princess Leah, I love how you used your nose to follow this trail and mark it off. Freya Rose, I suggest you pull out the crime scene tape now, so no one interferes with our tracks! 

Riley and Dui, I am impressed how you found that evidence, marked it with a sign, and not pee and are photographing it. Great work. Class, it is important to keep your strength during detecting and have the occasional snack! 

Ruby, you have handled a difficult job well. It is always sad when a living creature, no matter how evil, dies. After securing the site, it is important to take a moment and think about the victim. 

Great work class. Any questions?