Wildlife Encounters

Sorry, no pictures to go with this post, but it is amusing!

Tuesday morning - left for our walk at about 5:50 am (Hailey is insistent that 5:45 is get up time, even though she really doesn't have to go at this time) we had several encounters!

Encounter 1: 

Right across the road at the end of the driveway was a deer. While standing and staring at it, we heard another deer to our left give the warning stomp. I turned to see that deer's white tail vanish into the bushes. The deer on the road slowly walked down, hopped the fence and disappeared into the bush. The dogs hardly reacted at all.

Encounter 2:

As we continued down our road, the horses who were near the fence ran back. Just as we were about to pass them one charged at the fence, causing Phod to lunge at it. What happened next was amazing to me. Hailey charged at Phod and pushed him out of the way. To be clear, we were never in danger. The horse stopped at the fence and we were about 6 feet from it. I was impressed that Hailey would try and protect Phod. Overall, given the situation the dogs reacted well.

As we continued on our walk we heard the wild turkeys in the distance but didn't see them. We also heard other birds and a woodpecker.

Encounter 3: 

On the way back, in a field we saw 3 deer. My guess the same deer we saw at the beginning. This was apparently exciting and Hailey barked and they tried to pull me toward the deer. I used on by and leave it and with little pulling we continued.

Encounter 4:

We pass the horses peacefully. We were making it up the small rise on our private road. I spot it first. A creature, it was black and heading toward us. We are probably 20+ feet away. I walked a little closer to figure out what it is and to hope to scare it away. This worked, as it turns and I could then see it was a huge porcupine. Now the dogs have figured out there is something cool ahead, that is now slowly (a porcupine doesn't move very quickly) heading under the fence of the horse pasture and waddling across  the field. As it is far enough away I continue to walk toward our house (which isn't that far, in fact we are technically on our property when we encountered it). Hailey went hog wild crazy. She was screaming and pulling and carrying on. Phod was interested but in a calmer way. I manage to pull the 2 up to the house (that was my upper body workout of the day). I caught myself repeatedly trying to explain that the porcupine could hurt them and chuckled to myself when this wasn't successful.

All in all, it was a very, very eventful walk. A good reminder that at dawn and dusk Mr. Phod needs to be on leash!

Wordless Wednesday - Zaphod

Chil-axing

Now that the sun is warmer, Hailey is loving to chil-ax. Sometimes I even move the chair so it stays in the sun longer. 

She needs to chil-ax after our 2:45 am adventure on Sunday night. At 2:45 we were awoken to Hailey losing her mind, I mean completely barking and carrying on in a frantic way. The Man got up and turned on the outside light. There on the deck outside our bedroom patio door was a racoon. After she was sure he was gone, she was able to settle.  I guess we should be glad that she will alert us to intruders! 

Mischief Monday - Oh Hailey

Yesterday was the one day I could sleep in. Hailey decided that she needed to go out at 5:45. Man took her out. She never settled after that because she wanted a walk and her breakfast. She likes her routine (I have no idea where she gets that from).

When I took her for a walk around 8 (which is a fine time on a Sunday am), she made me laugh. She got herself completely vertical on the ditch, butt up, head down, while she pooped. It looked so uncomfortable . . . .

Also, she has discovered Goldby, the resident groundhog is back. She is a little out of control when we go out in the yard. I have pulled out her harness to maybe save my arm.

Some of her restlessness may be because of my own
mischief. I have fallen off the 2 walks a day trend I set. The weather has not been great here. The ground is frozen in the morning and I hate to say it but there was snow on Thursday morning and we got soaked on Tuesday. That and the fact that work has been busy, just put me out of the grove. I am going to try and get back to it. I know this week Tuesday and Friday I will be working until 8 pm, so won't be able to, but hopefully the other nights.


The Man is a bit upset as his team, the Ottawa Senators were eliminated from the NHL playoffs last night by Phod's team.  Go Habs:)

Black and White Sunday - Super Phod

Precious is back again! Turns out it wasn't hiding in the thicket, nope. It was found on the other side of the house in the woods. What we think happened is that Phod found it when the Man threw it. Then Phod decided to go and see what Hailey and Lady were doing in another part of the yard. During his run to find them, he dropped Precious and then forgot where he put it. He was really lost without this ball. He would take others but barely played. So he was over the moon when Lady and Hailey found it one day while walking around the yard.

Hockey Fever

The Man has had hockey fever. His team the Ottawa Senators made it to the playoffs.

While the Lady couldn't really give a rat's butt about hockey, she likes to tease the Man that Montreal is her team (we live in Quebec after all). She knows one player on the Canadiens, Price, who is apparently one of  the best goalies in the world. [She can name at least a dozen Sens players, but that is beside the point].  So we have been having a "rivalry" in our house. Even the dogs have been forced to pick sides.

Last night was game 5. We went into game 5 with Montreal leading the series 3-1. Man sat glued to the TV while Lady did a million other things.

After game 5, what is the status?

The Sens have brought the series to 3-2 with an impressive win 5-1. In our house we are sure it is because Hailey wore her jersey all game. She thinks if that is what it takes for them to win, she wants them to loose!


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We are sorry we haven't been commenting much this week. Lady has been doing her best to visit all our friends but due to some work projects hasn't had a lot of commenting time. This weekend won't be better. Lady is teach all day today and tomorrow she is going to Aunt C's new house cause Grammie and the Big Guy are visiting. Hopefully next week will be quieter.

FFHT - Smells

Today is Murphy and Stanley's FFHT.

Around our place, the tell tale sign that winter is gone is not that the snow has finally gone. Nope, it is a new odour that fills the air. Spring has a special smell. It smells like

dirt and grass and

After a good roll

wet dog! 

Phod in a puddle

Celebrating the Return of Spring

One of the best ways to celebrate spring is to roll in the grass. It isn't very green yet . . . . but it is not snow!

Wordless Wednesday - Enjoying the Spring

Tasty Tuesday - A Special Plate

Sharing

For a very special treat, the pups got to lick some plates clean. They were very happy. Even Nin joined in!

Hailey, Zaphod and Nin

Mischief Monday - A Whole Lot Of Mischief Going On

We had a lot of mischief over the weekend.

First, the Man threw Phod's Precious into this thicket. It has yet to be recovered. They searched and searched and searched. Phod actually cried for it. I hope it turns up or that he makes another ball his new Precious.

If that wasn't enough for poor Phod, he had to be on tie out for a bit while we were doing yard work as he couldn't safely be monitored. He hated it.

Then when he was allowed off leash, we didn't just play ball or frisbee with him as we were cleaning out the garage. He did make a great supervisor.

Hailey was fairly content being outside. She is use to the tie out.

However, Someotherdoggy must have dropped by as a new hole was found in the yard.

As you can see, 99% of the snow is gone. It was the first weekend without it this year. We got to spend a lot of time outside enjoying it (which is good because it is going to rain all week).  Even the lake is loosing its ice. Spring is really here!

Black and White Sunday - Love

At breakfast this morning, we looked over to this cutest of sights:

Nin and Hailey

Happy Sunday!

Mayorz Marathon

Today we are excited to be participating in Murphy and Stanley's first ever Mayorz Marathon. Pop over to their blog to check out all the action!



We wish all the Boston Marathon runners a great and uneventful race on Monday. We send special wishes to our friend Roy, who is running in his 5th Boston as part of the American Liver Foundation Team. Lady had the privilege of being there the first year he ran. Have a great race Roy!

We also wish Lady's BFF Tonya and her son Xav a great 5 k race this weekend. They are in Boston to cheer Roy on. Since the bombing Tonya has been doing the 5 k.

Tonya was at the marathon with her then 3 year old Rowan, the year of the bombing. Due to a strange series of events both Tonya and her dad were behind schedule so neither were at the finish at the time of the explosions, although they should have been. One of the best moments of my life was finding out they were ok. They were delayed in letting their loved ones know they were safe because even though Roy was only 2 km from the finish, and went to the bus to get his stuff, and Tonya had been locked down in a hotel, neither knew what was happening. It was only later that they found out and realized their error in not spreading the news that they were safe and sound. Tonya's life lesson is, if it looks serious, even if you aren't sure what it is, let your mom and husband know you are fine!

Back Tomorrow

We are getting ready for the Mayorz Marathon and will be back tomorrow!

Thankful Thursday - by Hailey

I, Hailey, graciously accept the following award, presented to me by the gang at Love is being owned by a husky.

I know the award said it was given to Hailey and Zaphod, but we all know this blog wouldn't exist without me, and therefore, the award should be mine. If this was a supporting role award, clearly that would go to Zaphod. He is a great supporting player in my life.

I would like to give a little bit of thanks to the Lady. She does do a little to make this blog possible. She does also do an OK job at taking care of me. Overall, she is pretty well trained.  I will also give a little thanks to the Man. He sometimes helps me feel brave when I am scared.

I also want to thank the other supporting character in my life, Ninny. He is a good cat. I only wish he wasn't so old so I could play rough with him. That would be better.

Finally I would like to thank myself for being so full of life and joy and all the rest. The world would be boring without me. I pass this award on to everyone who makes those around them smile.

Thank you.

Wordless Wednesday - Surveying her Kingdom

The Centre of My Universe

The sun may be the centre of our solar system for the planet earth, however, in our house the centre of the universe has 4 legs and a tail. That's right, it is the dogs.

Why it took so long for this to occur to me, is beyond me. I guess I was so wrapped up in life in general that I didn't step back and see it sooner.

Everything I do these days revolves around the 2 pups. They dictate: when I get up, my exercise, when I eat, how long I am out of the house, when I work, how I sleep, where in the bed I sleep, my hobbies . . . . everything.  When we were house shopping 3 years ago, Hailey's needs were high on the list of must haves.

I really don't make a decision without thinking of them.

Know what?

I wouldn't have it any other way!

Go Orange and #fightcruelty

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. The ASPCA has a "go orange for animals" campaign to help raise awareness to this cause.

We are wearing orange. We are wearing orange for all but particularly in honour of our Zaphod. Zaphod is a survivor of animal cruelty. We don't know what happened in his past, but we know it wasn't nice. We wear orange to raise awareness to help prevent other dogs from suffering like Zaphod has.

Still White Sunday

These pictures were taken yesterday evening. We still have a lot of white but . . . . . .

Precious the ball is back! After 4 months without his ball (he has had two flying squirrel discs and a frisbee) Phod is thrilled! 

The Man's team, the Ottawa Senators, won yesterday. This means they have made the playoffs. It also means at least 4 more hockey games this season. Lady does not enjoy hockey. She did go to one game with the Man this year cause she is so awesome. If she was going to pick a team, she would pick the Montreal Canadians because we live in Quebec now and it bugs the Man.

Funny Phody Habit

We think Zaphod may be part cat. When he is really happy and you are petting him, he makes a purring type noise.

Big Cat Phod

Looking forward to catching up with everyone while the Man and Hailey cheer for their hockey team the Ottawa Senators. Today, the last game of the regular season will determine if Ottawa is in the playoffs. The adults in the house have different opinions on how they want this to go:) Some of us may be done with hockey . . . . .

See Beautiful

It is the second Friday of the month so it is time to See Beautiful.

Today's beautiful is brought to you from a trip we took in 2011 to Bali. It was our encounters with the monkey's that stole the show this trip. I love animals and always can find beauty in them!

I think this is one of my all time favourite pictures! 

Torture Your Dog Day - I mean - Annual Check Up Day

Yesterday was one of my least favourite days of the year. Time for Hailey's annual check up.

Step 1: Getting out of the house, while Man was at work, with one dog. I did this by tricking Phod with a special treat as I shoved Hailey into the garage. As she was happily getting in the car, he was barking and carrying on inside.

Step 2: Drive 1 hour to the vet. Yes there are vets closer, but none are my good friend Woody. As long as he is working and I can drive to him, he will be my vet. Hailey's anxiety grew as the drive went on and the last half hour she was upset.

Step 3: Pull into the parking lot. This is where the true anxiety started. This video would be her being "calm".

Step 4: Sniff around outside and pee. This was the easiest part until a little German Shepherd puppy came out and she had to bark. The puppy was so cute with the floppy ears . . . .

Step 5: Go in - she ran in and then tried to run right out!

Step 6: Get her weight. She was amazing at this and sat well (even though she was shaking) on the scale (getting her on at all use to be a huge problem). She put about 2 or 3 lbs on over the winter, but Woody said she looks great and every dog and owner who had been through the clinic in the past few months was in the same boat. The brutal winter made regular exercise impossible.

Step 7: Wait our turn in the waiting room. This includes, barking, screaming, jumping on the bench and ripping it a little (shhhh, it wasn't us), getting stuck on the bench and freaking out when you jump down and slide, trying to run away.

Step 8: Wait in the examination room. This was a little better because I could let her off leash. She did want to leave as this video shows.

Step 9: Enter the vet. After hugs and a catch up on his kids and wife (we have been friends for 21 years and we don't see each other often enough), time for the exam. Woody sat on the floor and Hailey was frozen during the exam. She took her shots like a champ. Once they were done she was ready to leave.

Because Woody and I were talking about what they were up to and what we were up to, he didn't actually say anything really about her health. I assume all is good, he would have told me if it wasn't! I did say I found Hailey's freaking out a little embarrassing and he assured me it was fine, he had seen way worse! (I was spoiled by angel Loki who had every reason to hate the vet, but loved him).

I said I was done! 

Step 10: Wait in the waiting room for our bill, Revolution and Phod's car sickness pills. While waiting a woman I use to work with came in with her dog. Had a nice catch up with her and assured her it was a great clinic (she was trying it out for the first time as she wasn't happy with her current vet).  Finally pay.

Step 11: In the car and drive home. Hailey was very, very, very quiet on the way home.

Step 12: Tell Phod and the Man (who got home from work only a few minutes before we came back) how terrible a person I am for taking her to the vet.

Step 13: Ignore the Lady for the rest of the night.

Thank goodness, we only do this once a year! Well, I guess twice as we take Zaphod in August!

Wordless Wednesday - Just Hanging Out

Hailey vs. the Baby

As I have mentioned before, Hailey is not a dog who enjoys children. They stress her out. Hosting family Easter dinner was stressful. We had a plan if Hailey couldn't settle down.

The first 15 minutes were hell. Maggie was crying a little. Maggie's crying made Hailey bark. Hailey's barking made Maggie cry. It became a vicious circle.

Once Maggie settle, Hailey settled and other than a few barks throughout the visit, she did fine. She did bark if Maggie cried and she barked when people picked Maggie up or walked with her. She was fairly easily redirected. She particularly liked Maggie during lunch and had to be called away many times. She was even caught licking Maggie's hand.  Throughout the visit I gave her cookies for being calm.

Hailey peaking at Maggie's tray

Eventually, she was even able to relax and have a little nap. Overall, we give her a B+.

I am proud of her for not having to be put in the crate or on leash. Maybe, oh maybe, she can get use to kids. (We may have been helped by the fact that Maggie didn't crawl today, she can, but decided not to).

Mischief Monday - Easter Outtakes

Here are just a few of the outtakes from our Easter shot.

Maybe I can will them off my head! 

Times up Lady

Maggie, we are in this together! 

Emma photobomb! 

Phod thinking about stealing the hat from the baby

Happy Easter!

From our pack to your pack, Happy Easter!

Hailey Bunny

Phody Bunny

Duckie - aka Cousin Emma

Two reluctant bunnies - Cousin Maggie and Phod