Level 2 Obedience GRADUATE

Well I graduated from Level 2 Obedience training today from The K9 Coach. Of course I was the star pupil. I even passed 9 out of 10 things to be a "Canine Good Citizen". Couldn't walk through a crowd without checking out everyone. I'm sure tired now, exhausting being so smart.

Cone of Shame

I had an eye booger that went bad and I started scratching it. The vet gave the captors antibiotics to put in my right eye and I have to wear this cone...

Playin in the snow

Snowman

As I sit here watching the end of the Christmas Snow I am reminded to wish you all a Merry Christmas. The snow is great. I spent the day going out and coming in and going out and coming in. It is deep enough for me to jump and play in. The Captors even took time during their shoveling to build this snowman. Isn't he cute.

Unfortunately the snow has kept us too close to home. No walking in this mess. I am worried the Captors will forget how. We also had to postpone the family gathering which made Captor 1 a little sad. She is better now since building the snowman. And she baked a pie which made the house smell like apples and cinnamon.

We will journey to Rochester this weekend. I will have to be on my best behavior and I won't get to sit on the couch. [sigh] But there will be kids to play with and food to be begged and a car ride to enjoy. And lots of things to sniff.

I hope your Christmas was a good one. Hug your dog and your people.

Walking without a leash

I have a new trick - I can walk Captor 2 for a mile without a leash! I stay to his left, a very good dog if I say so myself...

Day 365

What can I say, today is the 365th day of this capture. When will these people give up....

So after 1 year of captivity in this small house, in a small neighborhood, in a big city let us review my situation.
umm...
I have a warm place to sleep, twice daily walks around this neighborhood and food. OK that is good.
I don't get to eat steak and chicken. I don't get to run on my own. I don't get to sleep on the bed. This is NOT good.

I get attention from both captors when I want it and even when I don't want it. This is good.
I seem to get more attention when I eat pooh, chew up my blanket, and dig holes in the yard. This is NOT good.

I have gone through walking class and obedience 1 class. This is good.
I haven't gotten to go to any other classes. This is NOT good.

I have met lots of people and dogs. I have spent time at the lake. And I have spent time at Wookie and Ollie's. I even spent Christmas in Rochester. This is all good.
I have bones and tennis balls and a Kong. This is good.
The captors put Cream Cheese, Crunchies and peanut butter in the Kong. This is good.
Captor 1 makes me Cookies. This is definitely good.

OK it isn't all bad living here. I will not give up trying to escape this capture but I will be happy here in the mean time.

snow snow snow snow

head butt

walking captor one

Here we are walking on crunchy leaves with the weather getting cooler, the squirrels working harder, and the rabbits getting more frisky. I love this time of year!

Fishin'

I'm not sure about this fishin' thing. Captor #2 kept reelin' them in, but I didn't get to lick any, and he put them all back into the lake. Disappointing if you ask me. This feller was about 5" long and was mighty mad.

Stupid Bees, New Trees and a Long Weekend

Those fun bees in the backyard that I told you about... They aren't so much fun. One of them stung me and my face swelled up. The Captors thought I looked funny. Luckily I heal fast and the swelling has already gone away. Better yet Captor 2 wasn't fast enough with getting a picture so there isn't any proof of my goof. I am sure it will happen again, and the captors will get a picture then.

The captors planted a new tree in the yard for me to sleep under. They planted it in the wrong place though. It has to be inside of the fence for it to do me any good. What good is it, if it is in the front yard. I got to ride in the truck when they went get it but they didn't let me go in and help pick it out. The Horticulturist at Bachman's was nice to me though when they loaded it into the truck.

There is a rumor going around that this is a long Weekend. I'm not sure what that means but if the Captors spend more time with me, it is a good thing.

Happy Labor Day Weekend. Have a hotdog for me or share one with your own dog.

Bees

Bees are great. They buzz around the flowers and shrubs in my backyard. They fly from spot to spot and I can chase them. If I catch them, I play with them, snapping them into my mouth and then spitting them out, if they don't fly away, I step on them. The captors keep telling me that they sting but I don' t know what they are talking about. They are free play things to me.

Dog Days of Summer

Hello. Sorry about the lack of up-dates so here you go... Yesterday was about the same as the day before and today is shaping up to be the same as yesterday.

Is this the Dog Days of Summer? The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the bugs are buzzing. It is a good thing to lie in the sun and chase Bumble Bees. The captors and I will take a walk later and I will get plenty of attention.

back at Home

I have been gone for a while, an hour, a day, a week, I'm just not sure. I spent some time with Grumpy Old Dog and Furry Brown Dog and their captors. It was confusing because one of their captors is a lot of like my Captor One. But they are not quite the same. Grumpy Old and Furry Brown aren't quite sure about me. They don't like to play as much and I can be annoying when I get 'bouncy.' While I was visiting, I ate a rubber ball, then I didn't feel so good. The result wasn't pretty.

When the captors came to get me they smelled of sunscreen, bug spray, pine forest and water. They smelled just like that nice place we visited when the weather was cooler. I think they went to the LAKE without me. Life is so unfair.

Running with Wookie!

We had a lot of fun running, Wookie and I, along side Captor #2 and his bicycle. We went all the way to the kiosk for a drink of water and RAN all the way back. Fun fun fun!

let sleeping dogs lie

Visitors

It has been a busy week for visiting.
On Monday Reggie the Shiba Inu was here with his captors. They came all the way from Denver just to see me. Reggie wouldn't play with me but his small captors would. We went walking and played in the yard. We even had a howling contest.

On Friday furry brown dog (Wookie) and grumpy old dog Ollie were here. Why won't they play with me. All they did was 'mark' my backyard including my Gargoyle friends.

This weekend was good. The captors stayed home with me and we had a lazy old time. They said it was a holiday weekend. The 4th of July. I am not fond of all the noise though. The banging and booming.

I need a nap. Happy belated 4th of July.

lazy summer evening

Just laying around on a 70 degree summer night. Tough life.

Running!

Very exciting news! The captors have fixed their bicycles, and I get to RUN! I'm very fast.

Visitin'

We went a visitin' yesterday. We went to see grumpy old dog (Ollie to his captors) and hairy dog (Wookie). Their captors and my captors and some extra people were there too. The captors were mean to us dogs, we didn't get any of the wonderful smelling chicken and ribs. They ate it all by themselves. Ollie and Wookie got to sit under the table. I never get to sit under the table, I have to sit on the couch, away from the action. I got as close as possible without actually getting off the couch.

I have spent time with Wookie and Ollie before. Wookie doesn't like to play, he won't wrestle or run or nothing. Ollie is bossy and lets me wrestle with him. He stands in one spot and barks at me while I run big circles around him.

Missing Dog Park

Someone took away our makeshift Dog Park. Robbinsdale is renovating the park and the old hockey rink is going away.   It is a sad day. I didn't even have a chance to say good-bye to my dog friends.

So to all those that stopped by the Lake View Terrace Park 'Dog Park' for a run and wrestle, it has been fun and I hope to see you around the neighborhood.

Rockwood part II

Sorry I haven't been updating this blog much. The captors have been busy doing nothing and getting WAY behind at it. My previous post was about Rockwood Lodge. I thought I would tell you more about it.

Rockwood is a historic lodge along the Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marias, MN. We are talking WAY Up North, nearly to Canada. The trip was at least 10 naps long. Rockwood has cabins and an Outfitters and a Lodge building for gathering.

I spent a lot of time in the Lodge learning to be a 'Lodge Dog'. Which means a lot of practice at sit, down and stay. My Canine Coach would be proud of how well I did. I got to meet lots of new people. And even a wolf/dog mix, although that was from a distance. What an impressive animal. Kind of like a large, white German Shepherd.

We went walking in the woods and I got to sniff all sorts of things: trees, shrubs, plants of all kinds, bugs that fly and bugs that crawl. And fury critters that I don't know. And the birds, there were birds everywhere.

Rockwood is located on Poplar Lake. It was so clear and really cold. Captor 1 let me go way out into the water. As far as the 20' leash would let me go. I would dip my chin and face into the water. And the water is clean enough for me to drink. (Crystal Lake here at home has a thing or two to learn.) Then I would come back onto the beach and shake the water off onto Captor 1.

I was also introduced to something call a 'boat.' I wasn't too sure about it. But I took a ride after some serious coaxing. And when we got going it was kind of fun. The wind blew through my ears and everything.

The cabin was nice, with a fire place and a deck with a view of the lake. Oh and it had something called 'fish'. Captor 2 caught a Lake Trout and I got the leftovers. Yum.

Did I mention the new people I met. They were great and really nice. I want to thank Lin and Mike the owners of Rockwood for letting me come visit. I can't wait to go back.

Rockwood

Today and yesterday I was in the Boundary Waters at Rockwood Lodge. I love it outside; there are a TON of different birds up here. I also like the taste of Lake Trout. Tasty!

new roof

we got a new roof today and man it was noisy, banging all day. it's a
nice roof tho.

Birds Birds Birds

This is the south end of Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale. Those are BIRDS!!!

Dog Park

Today I spent some time at the dog park. Well, it's really not a dog park but a hockey rink. Not sure where the ice is, but it sure is warm outside.

This is a picture of Zora chasing me. Of course I'm really fast, but I think she could be faster if she wanted.

Here's a picture of Zora and Charlie coming after what I have. Whatever I have, other dogs want it. Weird; when it is sitting there all by itself no one is interested, but when I have it, boy do they want it.

learning new things

I learn new things every day. Some are good things, some not so much.

Things I have learned or am trying to learn

Sit, Down, Stand, Come, Stay, Watch, Back

I have learned that walking in front of the captors is not good. I still try to do it though. We finished walking lessons on Tuesday. We had to walk all the way around the Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. There are ducks, dogs, captors and water at the Lake of the Isles. The captors were not too happy with my effort. I think I walked pretty good.

I have learned that I can NOT climb trees. This is not good because the birds are at the top of the trees.

I have learned that if I eat Captor 1's garden plants she surrounds them with chicken wire. I have learned that if i jump into the wire enclosure Captor 2 will yell at me. I have learned that if I go under the wire enclosure Captor 1 will yell at me. I have NOT learned to stop eating the garden plants. I have however learned NOT to eat the plants with thorns.

I have learned that if I dig a hole in the backyard one of the captors will fill it in so I can dig it again later.

I have learned that if I curl up on the couch with the captors they will scratch my ears and rub my belly.

I have learned that life is good here.

Friday

Well, I had a birthday this week, my first one. It was pretty good, but I wanted to walk everywhere where Captor 1 did not, so she wasn't happy. I did go to class and had fun with the other dogs walking their captors around South Minneapolis. Today, Friday, I walked Captor number 2 up to the coffee shop, we did pretty well. It's getting warmer, already over 50 degrees, and I like to see all the activity in the neighborhood. Tomorrow, more classes.

Easter Sunday

We had two great walks today. I like my new harness, and I can easily
walk beside the captors and not have to pull them around any longer. I
was able to walk in the local lake and scare the nasty ducks that were
making fun of me earlier. After a long nap I walked with them again, a
beautiful 60 degree evening. Time for another nap...

Learning new things

Hi all. I have been busy learning new things...
I went to walking class with Captor 1. She must need help because I walk just fine. I was fitted with a harness to help her walk better. Why do I get 'training aids' if she has the walking problem? We are taking the class from The Canine Coach thek9coach.com. Lynn is our walking coach. We share her with 2 pit bulls, a lab, a Weimaraner and a couple of others I didn't get to know as well. I will let you know about them later.

We take class at Lake of the Isles in south Minneapolis. There are a lot of walkers, runners and dogs around. Some of those dogs need walking lessons.

Spring and things

I am just checking in to see how things are going with you all. Today is much like yesterday which was much like the day before. The captors seem busier than usual so my blog has not been updated in a while.

My picture made it onto ThatMutt even though I am NOT a mutt. http://www.thatmutt.com/. I was there last week too.

Time to go out and check the backyard. More later if I remember.

good day, birds

it is 57 and sunny. some bird is making a racket. I have a stick for a
snack. this is what I call a good day!

trip to Iowa

Tuesday

40 degrees and mud

I will stop everything to watch the birds fly by.  

Very little snow left in the neighborhood. Will we have an early spring?

I have reached 10 months of age. The captors missed my month-day. But Captor 1 made me more Fresca Cookies this past weekend. It takes her all day to get them done. But I am worth it.

Mud, Puddles and Bath Time

A February thaw has come to the neighborhood which means puddles, puddles and more puddles. The snow has given way to water and ice except for where is was deepest. There is plenty of mud to be found, especially if the Captors aren't paying attention to what I am doing. 

I dug a couple of really nice holes this morning. I was so proud of myself until Captor 1 noticed the foot prints on the kitchen floor, and then noticed my white fur was dark brown from paw to knee. She wasn't too happy about the paw print on her sweater either. I wasn't too happy about having my feet washed in a bucket. Or having her mad at me.

Walking has become an adventure in wading. The streets and sidewalks have big, deep puddles and icy spots. Or rivers running along them. At least the thaw means I don't have to wear my boots. 

Today we went to the local dog gathering, but the enclosure was too wet so we used the fenced field next to it. I ran around, jumped and played. I was FAST. and I can run further than those other guys. I was wet from the tip of my nose to the tip of my tale and everywhere in between. The Captors learned that I dry fast and clean up easy. They think I am bred to be self cleaning since I am a hunting dog. I must be bred to shed water and mud they say.  

Even though I looked and felt clean the Captors decided it would be a good idea if I had a bath. I must say baths aren't as fun as I thought they would be. You get wet, then soapy, then wet again. Then you are left cold and wet and you have to figure out how to get dry and warm.

It has been a big day in the neighborhood. I think I will take a nap now. I will check in later.

 

Tuesday

Captor 1 goes off by herself most mornings. I help her get out of the house on time. And she gives me left-over chicken and FrescaCookies.

I usually watch her leave through the kitchen window, but I don't remember her leaving this morning. She filled my Kong with peanut butter and cream cheese and broken FrescaCookies, it was good but it takes a lot of concentration to get all the filling out. And she snuck out while I was busy. I will have to talk to her about that when she comes home.

I usually hear her come through the gate and I meet her at the back door. Captor 2 and I like it when she comes home.

I wonder what she does all day by herself.........

Monday

Today I visited the friendly people at KFI. They all seemed very nice,
and were all amazed at how cute I am. Of course, right? Right. Then
captor number two took me to Ollie and Wookie's house. They are good
boys, I like being around them. I shared my chicken chips with them.
It's zero degrees; that means my bathroom is zero degrees. Very cold.

sunny day at the dog park

it sure is nice outside I like being here there is room to RUN!

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Birds. Squirrels. Other dogs. Biscuits. Breakfast. Supper. Captor #1. Hugs. Dog Park. 

Friday

It's cold again which means Captor 1 likes to cuddle. I'm not complaining, I just reporting the news.

The Captors have found me a new place to play. We walk to the park where I can run without my leash. It's not really big, just an old ice rink, but it is bigger than the backyard. Somedays other dogs join me there. I have met quite a few in the last week or so. I don't know all their names but I know their smells. They range from big (a Doberman) to small (a couple of Dachshund). We run and chase. Some are really fast and others are pretty slow. Some are barky, some are quiet. Some will chase the ball and bring it back to their captors- what is that about anyway. They are all good a begging for treats. 

I seemed to be in trouble a lot more lately. Is it my fault I like to chew on things, especially blankets. Is it my fault if the Captors aren't smart enough to put away the good blankets. If it is within my reach it is fair game, right?

Bed time. Good night.

Startribune Cute Dog Contest

Well, I didn't make it to the second round of the Star Tribune cute
dog contest. I know I'm the cutest, but apparently people voted for
other dogs instead.

Startribune cute dog contest

walking on wasburn

captor number one and I on a walk on wasburn

Sunday

I killed my pink bone today. It was a Christmas gift from Ollie and Wookie, Carol and Mike. I didn't mean to kill it. I just liked chewing on it, so I chewed until there were just little pieces left. Captor 1 kept taking the little pieces away from me. I would spit them out and flip them around the room. 

I spent Christmas with Wookie and Ollie. The Captors wouldn't let us wrestle in the house. There were lots of people of different sizes and food everywhere. The Captors had a tough time maintaining discipline but I got lots of affection. We got to go walking in a new place.

Day 64 more snow

It's snowing again... I like the snow. It goes POOF when you jump in it. And it makes the birds easier to see.

Day 61 snow

Winter has come to the backyard. See the new boots. I am not sure I like the cold but the snow can be fun. 

New boots

Hey ! I have new boots; (New Movie Here!) they are okay, I suppose, it's better than ice between the toes. It's fun to get them on, I make the captors work for it. But they are better than freezing, that's for sure. They bought them from some guys named Chuck and Don, whoever they are.

tennis balls

put me down

Day 33

On another walk

Day 32

Today is the 1 month Anniversary of my capture. THEY call it an adoption.
Quiet Day. Went for coffee on the morning walk. The captor (Male) said I was a good dog today. As if I could be anything else.
I am working on Sit, Down and Stay. It makes THEM happy and I get Chicken Chips, so everyone wins.

Friends

Ollie and Wookie came over to visit and we had a lot of fun in the back yard. Ollie is a little bossy but a nice guy.

basement

Day 28
The basement is a fun place with lots of scraps of wood for me to chew
on. For some reason the captors do not want me eating wood, so I'm
always in trouble when I go downstairs. That doesn't stop me from
trying.

Thursday

On a walk on a cold November morning on Victory Memorial Parkway in
Minneapolis.