Wordless Wednesday - Another Me?

Not Fair

Lady and Man got this dog (it is apparently from Mexico) at a charity event and it is allowed on the table and we aren't!

Not fair!


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Mischief Monday - She Left Us - by Lee and Phod

Dear Blogville,

Our Lady did a terrible thing. Last Tuesday she took lots and
lots of bags (Editor's note - it was 7) and got in the car and was away for 87 million days (Editor's note - it was 6). We were the saddest dogs ever. The Man only walked us and fed us and gave us treats and played with us and let us hog the bed. It was terrible. He only worked from home 2 days to be with us. We were so hard done by.

Lady says she wasn't in a place that would be fun for dogs. She was away visiting the Big Guy. She said the hospital and ICU (which the Big Guy got out of on Saturday before she left and is now in the ward) is not a fun place.  We don't believe her, we went through her phone and found this picture. She was at a party. She left us for 87 million days with the Man who took care of us to go to a party in ICU.

If we weren't so happy to see her, we would be mad!

Lady tried to capture our craziness as she came home.
Note: Hailey is heading to Lady, Phod toward his discs (Precious is away for the winter)

Happy Birthday Big Guy (and an update)

Today is my Dad, aka the Big Guy's 65th birthday. 26 days ago, there was a 1% chance that we would be celebrating today. It is not the party we had planned, at my house with friends and family and hamburgers and beer, but we will make do with party hats and banners, a feeding tube and FaceTime and the phone so friends and family can 'visit'.

Dad continues to make very small steps forward, but the journey to full recovery is expected to take about 2 years. There is some hope he may be home for Christmas, but time will tell. There are going to be some small setbacks and unexpected things on this path, but we are at least able to go through the woods now.

Happy Birthday Daddie! Next year let's have 2 cakes to make up for the one you missed this year.

I know I shared this picture earlier this year, but it totally captures my dad pre-anyersum. 

Fluffy Friday

We have jokingly called Phod our German Shedder. This fall he has blown his coat in a way he never has before. Even with brushing him every day, our floors are covered with Phod.  He is a good boy and will tolerate about 10-15 minutes of brushing at a time.

Here are some examples of how much hair we can get from him during a brushing block:

One day

The next day

Thanks Blogville

We would like to wish all our American pals a very Happy Thanksgiving. May you have a wonderful day of love and treats.



We would also like to join Dory and the Boyz in Thanks Blogville. They have asked us to share why we are thankful for Blogville.

We are thankful for Blogville because there is always a pal who has done something at least as naughty as us (and sometimes naughtier) and this helps Lady be less frustrated with us.

We are thankful for Blogville because we learn so much about training, products, how other people live,  and how other people think, by visiting your blogs.

We are thankful to Ann at Zoolatry who create our lovely new holiday header and background.




We are thankful for Blogville because it gives us a sense of community. It allows us to meet and interact with people all over the world we wouldn't have gotten to know any other way.

We are thankful for Blogville because of the love, support and strength we get from it. We think it is the most amazing place on the planet. The support we have gotten recently while our Big Guy has been fighting for his life is amazing.

We are thankful for Blogville because no matter what kind of day we are having, we know when we open your pages there will be a laugh or a smile that will make everything a bit better.

We are thankful for Blogville because of all of you. Keep being you! Keep being awesome!

Wordless Wednesday - Hailey

Things Not To Eat - By Zaphod

Dear Blogville,

I learned a valuable lesson this week about things you shouldn't eat.  The other day I was feeling a bit sick to my stomach and grass was not making me feel better. The Man said he wasn't worried because I was playing like a puppy and he assumed I would be fine. Just as my peeps sat down to dinner, I got sick.

The following is a dramatic re-enactment of what my peeps saw (minus some grass).

You see I decided to eat a whole bunch of fluff from a toy. It sat heavy in my stomach. I threw it up and I felt all better.

I thought I would just spread the word that fluff is fun to pull out, but shouldn't be eaten.

Your pal,

Zaphod

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PS - Re Snowstorm

Lady's trainer was her very favourite person in the world on Sunday as he had to cancel their Monday morning session (they moved it to the following Monday - Lady usually gyms Tuesday and Thursday but she can't this Thursday - it is all complicated!). She got to stay in bed until 5:20 and said the drive in wasn't too bad. Took her an extra 20 minutes or so (it normally takes her 1.25 hours). It did make her hate winter more. She wants to move!

Mischief Monday - Made Man and Lady Liars

On Saturday the Man and I were going to be out over dinner time. The dogs had a nice walk in the morning and a late breakfast as we slept in. We were going to be out of the house from about 4-9 and because the pups dinner is usually at 6:30, I decided I would give them half their dinner around 3:30 and the other half when we returned.

While we were out, we talked about how good the pups had been overall, especially our girl. We haven't had much mischief to report.  Clearly we jinxed this because we came home to a mess.

As I walked into the kitchen I spotted this,

which led to this:

It seemed some starving dogs had gotten into the garbage while we were out. Our guess is we hadn't closed the cupboard fully so they could do this. Phod hid and Hailey stood there acting surprised. We are sure they are both guilty. 

Because they had clearly eaten garbage (a big piece of the poutine take out container was missing) they didn't get a second dinner. Fortunately, no one was sick after eating garbage.

Come back tomorrow for a funny eating story! 

Sleepy Sunday

This picture was taken after we first got our girl in 2010. I love her content little face. 

As you are reading this, we are likely having the first snowstorm of the season. Lady is not thrilled because it means the commute tomorrow will be a nightmare, and she is currently hating living in the country and having to be to the gym by 7 tomorrow (we are sure she is going to live and it will be fine, but she apparently needs something to freak out about). While she does that, we are going to snuggle by the fire and maybe if we are lucky play some crazy dog in the snow.

Happy Sunday!

Remembering Firsts

Today Puppyspot asked us to share memories of firsts with our pups.

The clearest first I have for Hailey are all about a naughty little pup. She was about 9 months old when she came to live with us.

There was the  first time she destroyed a crate

oh and the second time too. This is when crate training ended.

There is the first time she destroyed the screen door as well,

and who can forget her first hole, 

or the first time she caught a squirrel and the first time she caught a groundhog and that time she brought me a half dead mouse. 

Zaphod, who was about 1.5 years old when he joined us, firsts include the first time he played fetch,

the first time he went swimming, 

and the first time he voluntarily came up for a snuggle. 

I think the firsts that come to mind totally fit their personalities - my crazy, destructive, full of life girl versus my calm and quiet boy. 

What are your favourite first memories?

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Check out PuppySpots  No puppy mill promise HERE.

25 Days of Holiday Fun

Lee: Hey Phod

Phod: Yes Hailey

Lee: I wanted to tell you about this really cool event that is coming up in Blogville.

Phod: I like cool things, what is it?

Lee: Dory is hosting the 25 days of Holiday Fun and my love Easy, Mr. Bailey and I are helping her.

Phod: 25 days of fun sounds better than 8 days of Hanukkah. What do we have to do for this fun?

Lee: It is really easy - you go over to Dory's and sign up for a day. On your day, you write a holiday post. It can be about your traditions, recipes, stories, anything related to the holidays. Then you link your blog to the blog hop. It is that easy.

Phod: It will be so much fun to share the holidays with Blogville. I can't wait.

Lee: Me neither. Let's hope all our pals go over to Dory's and sign up. Pals, feel free to grab the badge and spread the word! 

Wordless Wednesday - Warm

A Big Guy Update

My Dad (whose beard has been removed because it was
medically necessary) and Maggie

First, thank you to everyone in Blogville for your kind words and support during my father's illness. Blogville is truly a wonderful place.

People have been asking questions about my dad aka the Big Guy and I thought since it is 2 weeks since he survived an abdominal aorta aneurysm, it was a good time for an update. There has been a number of ups and downs in the past 2 weeks (and we know this will continue). He has had pneumonia (which he may have had before this), and his heart has done some crazy dancing and needed to be shocked back to a regular rhythm. There have been a few other things, but he is continuing to take baby steps forward. His doctor says there is an 80% chance he will be barbecuing next summer.

At best he has a very long road to recovery with weeks/months more of hospital care. It is a time we are blessed to have our imperfect Canadian health care system. My father's care is free and will continue as long as he needs it. We don't have to worry about what is and isn't covered by an insurance plan.

Thank you again for all your POTP, my family can feel all your love and support. If you could send just a little more, we would greatly appreciate it.

Mischief Monday - The Dog and The Hill and Wildlife

 This is a story about our Sunday walk.

Whatever she says it is not true. Ok, it is true. 

It was a particularly beautiful Sunday morning, about 5 C/40F at 7 am. (Only a Canadian would say that was beautiful!) We were about 2.5 km/1.5miles from home when the incident occurred. We heard people at a house about 100 feet from the road. I decided to turn around, but not before the dog who lived  there had heard us. 

This lovely dog came running through the woods toward us, barking. It was clearly an excited and not threatening dog. We were on the road. The woods (the people's property) was down a very step drop from the road. I was doing my best to keep the dogs going forward but they were pulling me toward this step cliff. I knew if I got pulled down this hill I would be hurt so I made my least favourite decision and let go of the dogs and promptly fell hard on my butt. (I was not hurt).

Not as step as where we saw the dog but similar

Hailey ran over and was super friendly for about a minute and then with my calling, and the dog's owner (a very nice understanding guy) shoeing her toward me, came back. Phod decided this was the perfect time to poop in the woods (and yes, I left it, I was not risking breaking the neck I had just protected to go get it - sorry environment) and then couldn't decide if he needed to stay down there to protect me (the dog was with his owner on their property far from us), go see the dog or come back. Hailey and I started to walk away and he immediately came to me. So what could have been a bad incident turned out wonderfully. 

We had walked about a kilometre  back toward the house when I heard a noise. I stopped so we could hear it clearer (our feet make a lot of noise on the gravel road). Up in the mountains the coyotes were having some sort of party. They were barking and yipping and carrying on. I have never heard them like that. In the four years we have been here I have seen one once and only heard them once. The dogs listened but really wanted to keep walking so we made it home without further incident. 

No time for the coyotes - keep walking! 

It was a very eventful walk to say the least!

Silent Sunday - Pack Walk

Project Hailey - More Sillies

Hailey has decided she likes to play with the ball. She likes to chase it and chew it. She does not like to bring it back.  Don't think Phod is thrilled about her taking one of his balls, but as long as he has his, he is ok!

We Remember

We stop today and take time to remember the men, women and animals who have been willing to  and who have sacrificed it all for our freedom.

Breaking News - Election Results

From Blogville Election Headquarters . . . this breaking news bulletin.

After months of a wonderful, dignified campaign, and excellent voter turn out at the polls, I, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Electorial Judge and Poll Verifier Oz  are pleased to announce the winner of the Blogville 2016 election.

The next Blogville Mayor will be . . . .

ARTY from http://dorysbackyard.blogspot.ca  with his running mate  Mabel from https://idahopugranch.blogspot.ca

We here at Blogville Election Headquarters we would like to thank Christmas and Oreo for their excellent campaign. We would also like to remember Angel Lexi who ran a great campaign until she was called to the Rainbow Bridge.

We would also like to acknowledge all the hard work our out going Mayorz Murphy and Stanley have done during their time in office. They have left big shoes to be chewed. We are sure Arty and Mabel are up to the task.

Congratulations Arty and Mabel!

Wordless Wednesday - I'm Handsome And I Know It

Mischief Monday - Bush Burrs

Phod want deep into the bush on our property on the weekend. I think he was probably tracking deer and eating deer poop. He didn't come back right away but I could see him. I think he wasn't coming back because he was full of burrs!  He wasn't thrilled about having them removed. 

A few from his side

The Man working them out of his tail

The burr/fur pile

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Thank you for all your POTP, thoughts and prayers for the Big Guy. He is holding his own. For those who asked it was an abdominal aorta aneurysm. 

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Tomorrow is Blogville election day. Our comments will be moderated until then. Be sure to come back and vote! One vote per blog!

This, That and The Other Thing - By Lee and Phod

Life has been a bit sucky in our part of the world. See our Big Guy (aka the Lady's Dad) survived an aneurysm on Halloween. He remains in ICU and is doing "ok" - the medical team is happy with the progress. He will likely be there for weeks. Lady is still at home with us, but will go down to see him in a week or two. No one wants her there too early as a nurse or caring and sympathetic person she is not.

The Big Guy and Grammie's dog Tendra is staying with wonderful family friends. She is probably being completely spoiled! Grammie and the Big Guy don't have to worry about her.

Needless to say, this news has shaken our house up a bit. Lady hasn't been as good at visiting blogs because at times she has been a space cadet she  has been thinking about other things and doing other things. We know you will understand and forgive her.

If you have a little POTP to send the Big Guy, we would really appreciate it.

What we shouldn't forgive her for is the fact she didn't take one picture of us this week. Not one. That is a Lady fail.

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In other news:

Today is the last day to get on the Christmas Card List. If you have not done so email us at leeandphodATbellDOTnet. Lady will be putting the finishing touches on it soon so it is ready to go out next Saturday!

All residents of Blogville - if you have blogged in the last 3 months, you are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. The voting will take place here on Tuesday. Polls will be open from 12:01 am EST time to midnight. Be sure to come back on Tuesday to vote. More details will be on that post.

We are taking tomorrow off (we hope to do some catch up visiting as Lady is helping her office move and working today), but will be back Monday.

Have a good weekend and be healthy!

Yoga Pose

Must keep in shape!

Project Hailey - Living Drug Free

Hailey is now prozac free until the spring (knock on wood). She went off of it very well. Last year when we took her off, she was starving all the time. We didn't notice that sort of change in her this time. What we have noticed is that in the evening, she and Phod have crazy puppy play time. We love to see them racing around and playing with each other.

Here are some blurry pictures of them playing the other night.

This is a behaviour change we can live with! 

Helping The Internet Become More Accessible

This post is sponsored by http://www.ami.ca.

My grandmother Skyping

As many of you know I work with people with autism and related disabilities. This has given me the perspective of how challenging it can be to navigate the world if you have a disability and can see. I can only imagine how difficult it would be if you had a vision impairment. As a sighted person who feels glued to her devices, I can’t imagine not being to fully access the internet. I remember my grandmother, who in her 90s was trying to learn to use Skype so she could see my niece (and her great-grandchild) Maggie, saying  “This would be easier if I could see.”  

With all this knowledge, I was excited when http://www.ami.ca asked me to share the launch of their new fully accessible site for those with vision impairments. They did it in such a fun and clever way. Please make sure to check out the video, as you animal lovers will love, love, love it! I don’t want to give more away, just click on it and let me know how your dog would do in this situation. Both of mine would fail!

If the video doesn't play - click HERE.

Let’s hope that other sites follow http://www.ami.ca's lead and help make the internet more accessible to those with vision loss. Blogville has lost some members due to declining vision, so a web-wide accessibility movement could help keep our community together.