Pictures

Finally got the outdated digital camera working, so here are some pictures! (mainly of the newest addition, Hogan, on his first day)

Snow? SNOW?!?!?!

Dogs had a pretty good time today. I put down excess carpeting in the back of the van yesterday. (I put in hardwood flooring over the weekend and would rather recycle it than throw it out). The hope was that it would make it more comfortable in the back for the dogs, and also to make it easier to clean when it gets dirty back there (just take the carpet out, clean and/or vacuum, put it back!). We'll see how that goes once it gets wet...

In any case, they seemed to LOVE it, especially on the way back. Oliver sprawled his long body out smack in the middle of it all and fell fast asleep, even making noises that sounded much like a dog snoring... The others took up what room was left and did the same (minus the snoring). It appears to be a big hit!

Anyway, that was the fun stuff. Here's the not-so-fun stuff courtesy of those jerks at the Weather Network:


THE FIRST MAJOR SNOW STORM OF THE SEASON LIKELY LATE TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT.

HUMDINGER MAY NOT BE A SCIENTIFIC TERM BUT IT MAY VERY WELL SUM UP THE WEATHER THAT MOTHER NATURE HAS IN STORE FOR EASTERN ONTARIO.

AN EXPANDING AREA OF SIGNIFICANT RAIN WILL BLOSSOM ACROSS FAR EASTERN ONTARIO ON TUESDAY BEFORE CHANGING TO HEAVY WET SNOW IN MANY AREAS BY LATE AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING. IN A SWATH FROM OTTAWA THROUGH RENFREW TO ALGONQUIN SIGNIFICANT HEAVY SNOW WILL LIKELY SET IN LATE TUESDAY AND CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING.

SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS IN EXCESS OF 15 CENTIMETRES ARE LIKELY BEFORE IT TAPERS OFF DURING THE DAY WEDNESDAY.

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 50 GUSTING UP TO 70 KM/H TUESDAY NIGHT IN COMBINATION WITH THE SNOW WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS DUE TO SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WITH LOW VISIBILITIES ESPECIALLY WHEN THE MERCURY EDGES JUST BELOW THE FREEZING MARK.

TGI-whatever

Had 15 dogs yesterday! 16 including Wesley. 18 including Kobe and Colt who decided my pack was more fun after crossing paths with Cindy's group. Funny thing is, the more dogs there are, the better they tend to be. Of course, it's harder to keep them all in your sight at once!

Considerably less today, thankfully.

Looks like it'll be a nice, sunny, warmish day for a change.

Brinkley got positively filthy yesterday after making his way to a mud puddle, sitting in it, getting out and then rolling himself in dirt and leaves. If ever a dog tarred-and-feathered himself, this was it.

** A reminder that we are off Friday Nov 7th, and the week of Nov 17th - 21st. I believe you
all received reminder notices this week, but just in case I forgot one...

Hump Day

Buncha crazy dogs today! The weather brings it out in them. All in all, everybody had fun, and my nerves didn't get too frayed...



Molly and Hogan were at it again. They really seem to like each other!



Molly's new light blue fall jacket is now brown and blue. She likes to get on her back and roll around while wearing coats.






Sienna came today, wearing her pyjama-like fleece outfit. (it really does look like pyjamas, but it's warm!) It's a few sizes too big and we have to roll up the sleeves, but she doesn't mind at all! Talk about an easy-going dog!

C-c-c-old

It was freezing this morning! Warmed up nicely throughout the day, though.

Hogan's second day today, and he was beside himself! Just so excited to be out. He still hasn't figured out who he wants to be friends with (his first day, he really liked Molly, but he left her alone today). I still think he'll end up playing with Kiji, Oliver, and probably Molly, too.

Supposed to rain this week. It's been such a good fall so far, but I think that's over. Here come the dark days and muddy dogs.

(still haven't forgotten the pictures... camera is flaky and I don't have the patience...)

Friday...

I started a new dog yesterday - a 6-month-old Boxer named Hogan - and he was fantastic! He has the same energy levels as many of my dogs, and he's about as friendly as you can be! Molly especially liked him, and they played for a good 10-15 minutes solid.

Got back in late last night from Montreal and didn't get to bed until 3am, so if I appear a little dazed today, you know why. Don't worry, I'm awake enough to keep an eye on the dogs, but I might be a little slow if you try to talk to me. :)

I'll put up pictures of Hogan this evening, when I get the camera working again (I REALLY need to get a new digital camera...). Some pictures of Wesley and Romeo as well.

Short week

Dogs had a great time yesterday, after missing their regularly scheduled Monday walk. The more active ones (Kiji, Liam, Oliver), especially enjoyed themselves.

Spencer came for her twice-weekly walk with the pack and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Great weather for her!

Have up to 15 dogs scheduled on some days this week, but between schedule re-arranging and Cindy helping out, have got it down to 12/13, thankfully. Not that it's all that difficult, but having a couple of extra dogs to keep tabs on can be difficult.

Here's hoping the rain holds off a little while longer (like 3 months!)

Happy first birthday...

... to Kiji!

Long weekend... and as a result, please note there are no walks on Monday!

Had to post this. An oldie but a goodie, as they say. I don't care how many times somebody sends me this, I still read it and laugh every time:

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

Break out the mittens

Pretty much all week, I've been wearing a toque (keep in mind it's a bit cooler where we walk), and some of the dogs have even been wearing their fall jackets. Actually, I think it's been pretty nice, and I don't mind the 10-20 degree range at all.

So Wesley's been doing great with the big dogs! We brought along his friend Romeo yesterday, for the first of many walks. They're both around the same age, and are play buddies, so they know each other well. Romeo is, apparently, part Boston Terrier, part Basenji. What he actually looks like is a teeny, tiny Boxer puppy. He is as expressionless as a stone and always, always has the same face. I'll get some pictures of the pair of them today (if the camera cooperates)

Things I saw yesterday

- Every squirrel in Ottawa

- 15 dogs in the back of my van (4 of them small dogs!)

- 14 dogs in Cindy's truck

- A clown driving a minivan

Cold!

That was one helluva wind today. It was warm when it died down, but when it picked up again, yikes. Dogs didn't mind, though the smaller ones were shivering a bit.

All in a all, a good week. Minimal rain, and the dogs really love this time of year. So many smells, and no chance of overheating. Just perfect!

Things I learned yesterday

- Wesley likes popcorn and broccolli

- Molly's rain coat (yellow, with ducks on it!) doesn't fit around her neck anymore

- Fred is particularly lazy on Wednesdays

- Abbey is 100% on the walk even if she's not 100% at home

- Chocolate Lab puppies have no attention span

- Kiji has no attention span

- If 10 degrees feels cold now, what will -20 feel like in 2 months?

- I REALLY have to update the website


Happy birthday to Maggie, who turned 4 on Wednesday (as far as her mom knows!). This marks 3 years since Maggie was rescued from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina!