Jake vs. Tunnel

Jake’s first adventure with jumping the tunnel was a tad amusing!   In the first photo he is sitting behind the tunnel ANXIOUSLY awaiting the ok to move…  Now he’s no dummy so in his head why go over when it is so simple to go around!

 

So now he must return to the beginning, sit and wait to be released…and he’s NOT happy! 
Note the nasty look or is he pouting!!  (priceless to a mom) Clicking the pictures will enlarge them by the way.

Another try and I think he realizes that timing is everything!

     

Aaahhh..   a little motivation and reason to jump makes it so much better!! ….and back for more!

  

The next day…  like he’s been doing it all his life!

   

Jake and his ball!

So this is little Jake…  the adorable puppy who had surgery to remove the femoral head of his right hip 8 months ago at about 5 months of age.  You wouldn’t be able to tell now!!  He is nothing short of amazing!  (Click the photo to enlarge it.)

 

   

“….it’s just a dog…”

On this Thanksgiving morning I want to share something that a friend posted on Facebook.  I read this before and always am glad to read it again and share it!  Thank you, Daniel for posting it! 

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From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile....because they "just don't understand."

- Anonymous 





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On Watch – Ari, Brita and Jake

This post is a follow up to a post in January…  here are details about that one.
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When Ari was here he used to sit right where Brita and Jake are sitting.  It’s right outside of the porch and it’s the best place to get a view of the countryside for miles….and of course, to get the first sight of a car or truck going down the lane!  When I saw Brita and Jake I couldn’t get my camera fast enough.  I have never before seen her there.

 

So I thought to myself…  self… why not put a permanent bench of sorts there for them to sit on.  So during the summer I hauled a door that was in the shed to the area, covered it with carpet and yes..  they did hang out on it and so did I.  Well, the door was one of those cheap hollow ones and before long it deteriorated and was no longer usable.  Off to ReStore to get a used door… success..  $30 metal outside door… perfect.. 

     

So after the photo shoot it was “run around the yard” time for Brita and Jake. 
My favorite is the last one where it looks like they are dancing!

     

 

 

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Why is there corn here?

 

So Why would I find corn a foot under ground when digging a hole?  Jake is interested also but may be more interested in Brita! 

            

       

I then got carried away looking at the trails and up at the trees! 
I’m so lucky to have this little patch of woods for me and the dogs…

       

        

Well, corn is not what this post is about.  I made the decision to lay to rest Ari, Teddy, Olivia and Kobie on the ridge where Ari and Teddy already are.  They are a generation.  Josephine was first – 8 years their senior.  Brita and Jake are the next generation.  Each year one  of the 4 has left me and each fall I prepared buy digging a resting place, knowing it was coming and knowing it would be impossible if the ground were frozen.  So I’ve always had one extra spot ready and now the last two places are prepared HOPING that the girls won’t leave anytime soon.  Olivia is 11 1/2 years old and Kobie 9 years old.  The reality is it could happen any time but the good news is that there isn’t the certainty as there was the last 2 years with Ari and Teddy.  Both of them I expected to lose in the summer but they each hung around longer which was very good.  It, however, meant that the ground would be frozen and that’s why I needed to prepare… hard as it is, it’s what I want for these dog/friends of mine.  And, true to what happened in the past…  I waited until the day before snow was predicted to finish it up. 

Please read this answer to a question in a newspaper.  The question is “Where Shall I Bury My Dog?”

As a side note, Jake was less of a help on this digging adventure since he wanted to dig the dirt I removed and put it back!  He did help with removing the 30 plus rocks that I encountered and when we found another ear of corn, he took off with it to play!

 

 

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Decoys do obedience too!

It's fun to see the decoys who put a suit on to let my dogs bite them
work and interact with other dogs. 

Rolando Salvador is a master at training his dogs in obedience.
This video shows him working his 8 month old German Shepherd, Bella.

Click here for a link to a video of Forrest Micke of RinTinInn 
working engagement with a young malinois that he had never worked before. 


Click here for a link to a video of Donna Matey working here young dog Eager.



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Jake REALLY likes to help!

I’ve had this war with grapevines that were strangling the trees in the woods and buckthorn trees which are considered an invasive species of trees by the DNR.  So one day when I’m digging and pulling roots, Jake starts digging with me and then… actually starts pulling the roots out… 

hmmm….maybe I can put this on cue….  Well that was probably the easiest thing I ever taught him!  He knew what “dig” meant and the new word was “pull”.

 

So here he is sitting next to the largest root he pulled out today and the video clip, which I took as I was working with him really tells the story!

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And this work with me was sandwiched between playing with Brita….

……barking at the neighbors….

….practicing his “sit” so his legs are straight….

….and paying his respects to the guys before him….Teddy and Ari….