Getting ready for a puppy match at the Butler County Show - Memorial Day weekend. These 'regional' Belgian owners have been great to me and Alex.

Off topic (of Alex) but a message that will make you stronger - "may the force...."

It has been a busy-while since my last post. The grass is greening and I have had to mow 3-4 times already. Spring in Cinti goes from March cold to mowing every 5 days. LOL My neighbor and I took "the boys" to the park this morning. It is becoming more obvious that Carlos is getting older in his hips. He is 8 years old now. He is running hard, quitting early, ready to go back to the car long before the rest of them. I have always fed him Nature's Recipe Lamb and Rice and they have all been very happy with it - and me. Our next trip, we will buy the Joint and Hip formula. The vet told me last month to give him glucosomine and chondroiton and now I think it is time to also add within his food. He is my first dog - of my own - as an adult - and he has taught me much. It is chilly today, but sunny. A good day for doing most anything. Give your pup a hug and enjoy it!

If I didn't have dogs...
1. I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
2. My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
3. All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of dog hair.
4. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like the NCDL kennels.
5. When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through dog bodies who beat me there.
6. I could sit on the couch the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
7. I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree - like dog bones, stuffed animals or have to answer to people why I wrap them.
8. I would not be on a first name basis with three vets.
9. The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay and leave him/her/it ALONE.
10. My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
11. My pockets would not contain things like poo bags, dog treats and an extra leash.
12. I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L or F-R-I-S-B-E-E or W-A-L-K.
13. I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
14. I would not look strangely at people who think having their ONE dog ties them down too much.
15. I'd look forward to Spring and the melting of the snow instead of dreading mud season.
16. I would not have to answer the question: Why do you have so many dogs?
..from people who will never have the joy in their life of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to angel as they will ever get.
17. How empty my life would be...

One year ago, Alex came to live with us - May 2, 2004. What a difference a year of Alex makes! Among all the obvious Tervuren benefits it is also harder to grow grass this spring! Compare these tufts to last spring's long, lush green! (see archives, May 2004)

Snow advisory ??

Saturday, April 23, 2005

SNOW ADVISORY - Until 2 p.m. Sunday
FREEZE WARNING - 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday


TONIGHT: Cloudy, windy & cold with periods of light snow. Snow could accumulate from a dusting to 1" on grassy surfaces. Low 32.

The picture is from 8 am Sunday morning. It is already 36 degrees and warming - I hope!

SUNDAY : Continued cloudy, windy & cold. Periods of light snow in the morning ending as rain showers in the afternoon. An additional dusting to 1" possible. High 44.

There is a slight precipitation coming down now. I can't imagine the clouds actually have any left, after all the rain we got yesterday. So much for our "week of summer" that came last weekend!

We are having a throw-back-to-winter weekend in Cincinnati this weekend. That means the boys are playing inside more than out. Alex and his buddy, Kit were rollicking earlier - I guarantee Kit was giving Alex a pretty hard time! All that fur and those tails, it is hard to see who is what! ;-)

Shake it off!

Bite that water!

Alex has fun in the hose. If this is April, what will happen in July?

How Many Dogs Does It take to change a light bulb ....
Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?
Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!
Rottweiler: Make me.
Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.
Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.
Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb!
Poodle: I'll just blow in the Old English Sheep Dogs ear and he'll do it. By the time he finds the light bulb, my nails will be dry.
Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.
Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.
Pointer: I see it, there it is, there it is, right there.....
Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?
Belgian Sheepdog: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation, And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code, and finally I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle

Last night, it was hard to tell who was grooming who(m). Kit was working hard to bring Alex up to par!

Rule of Sevens (for puppies and ...?)

TO GOD - FROM THE DOG: (Belgian, of course! :-) )
Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell
one another?
Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it
still the same old story?
Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the
mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a
dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice
ride! Would it be so hard to rename the "Chrysler Eagle" the "Chrysler
Beagle"?
Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears
him, is he still a bad dog?
Dear God: We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand
signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic
energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?
Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.
Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to
apologize?
Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must
remember - to be a good dog.
1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw
it up.
2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I
like the way they smell.
3. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.. neither are Mom and Dad's laps.
4. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
5. My head does not belong in the refrigerator.
6. I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mom's
driver's license and registration.
7. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the
toilet.
8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee
table.
9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house -
not after.
10. I will not throw up in the car.
11. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.
12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes
that noise, it's usually not a good thing.
And, finally, My last question . . .
Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?

And Linus

Two new friends today - Lucy

A small effort at a controlled 'stay' this morning. Looks like there is something in the woods that has captured their interest.

Saturday morning and another great run at the park! Just my two today, then we were joined by a woman and her two dogs that live next to the park. All the kids made some new friends.

This is off topic for Alex, as he did not get to go. This weekend was only the second time I have had to leave him home. Not that easy, I can tell you! We did have a great time, though!!