The Dog Days of Summer

For us this has new meaning since the day about a week ago when a dog we called Homer started hanging around our yard. Always a sucker for an animal- we fed him. We noticed he didh't have a collar and were concerned that someone was missing a pet. He shyly accepted the meal and trotted off. We checked with all our neighbors and found out that he had been around for a while and was thought to be a "dumped" dog. We fed him a few more times but I couldn't get the idea out of my mind that he was a gray muzzled dog and, if picked up, wouldn't be adoptable. We could continue to feed him and just let him stay outside - but winter comes and I spent a sleepless winter last year worrying about the dog tied outside up the street. Our dogs (Adam and Faust) are not getting along and are kept separately so I just didn't know how that was going to go. Happily, the dog we were calling Homer got along with Adam and Violet and could stay in the kitchen. We booked a vet appointment for a few days later and Homer settled in. Yesterday, I took him to the vet and he was the hit of the waiting room. He was showered with cookies and compliments! They decided to check for a chip and --- he was chipped! Turns out he belonged to a lady in a town about 10 minutes away. Upon contacting her, the vet learned that he was named Brody had been given to "Joe" about a year ago. Well Joe hadn't had a dog for at least six months and he gave the other dog to a guy - but he couldn't remember the guys name and didn't know anything about him - we're thinking good old Joe is the dumper. So we now know much more about Brody and he is vaccinated and sleeping on his bed in the kitchen eating area. We also found out the our "old" dog is only in fact 4 or 5 but has had a hard life. So we learned a lot from a vet visit and now are a 4 dog family! Welcome Brody!

Violet The Watch Dog

This is Violet, the watch dog. She is watching for squirrels or, if she's really lucky, deer. She will bark violently and summon her partners in crime to help her really raise a ruckus.

Here is Adam taking his turn watching for the deer to come and eat the neighbor's apples.

This is poor Faust who can't figure out how to fit himself on the little settee. He's a bit embarrassed by this and has to do all his barking from the ground.
As you can see, being a watch dog is hard work. There is a lot of waiting involved.
Watch dogs springing into action!


What the watch dogs watch!

Fun In The Snow!

The Dober's have been enjoying all the snow- who needs a snow plow?



As much fun as the snow is, Violet still loves her bed!

You're probably sick of snow scenes but the sunsets and mornings have been really lovely---

Sharing!

Just in case anyone still had any suspicion that things were normal around here. ... this morning Adam decided he just needed a little one on one time with me. I was also eating a scone which was, in fact, the main attraction ! Of course photo op's never arrive when we are dressed, hair combed and makeup on. Clearly I'm not vain! Merry Christmas all!

Our Very Own Artful Dodger

Faust is a very talented Dobermann. A lot of his talent is due to his height. His chin is just at table height. Adam is close and poor Violet is way too little (they have developed the heavy head technique- we'll have more about that in another post) but Faust simply has to walk up to the table and rest his chin and if no one is paying attention---- score! When we have company I have to pay more attention to him than to what the guests are doing, otherwise dinner can be over before they know it. John is usually the sad victim and Faust has enjoyed porkchops, hamburgers--well, you get the idea. His best opportunities come when I am out of town and someone unexpectedly comes to the door-- but there really isn't much challenge to that. The real art comes in when someone gets up to get, say, catsup or salt and pepper then speed, agility and skill must come into play! He is a master! The photo above shows the casual approach- just hanging out.

Moving into position- note the skillful angle of the head.

And here it comes.....


Tasty! Want to see it again?





The setup.


The position and....



Almost!

Violet's On A Tear

It's looking more and more like Violet is the window-breaker. This morning Adam was running around without a color. Guess what that blue thing is next to Miss Violet? yep! I think the dogs must have cabin fever because they are really wild right now. You'd almost think she's sorry from the look of her.

House-Wreckers

Lovely isn't it? Since neither John nor I broke the window below are the most likely suspects.

They even look guilty don't they? When the likely witness was asked, this was his response.

All are now doing penance- on the sofa- that is.


It's a dog's life!