18 MONTHS OLD

18 MONTHS OLD! Alex has finally reached the year and a half mark. He is gorgeous and fun as ever as he enters his teenage years. He still plays with the cat - daily/hourly/ceaselessly. Some things I doubt he will ever outgrow!

He retook the CGC exam a couple weeks ago at Queen City Dog Training Club. He passed, but the distractions were high - there was a golden doing frolicing comes in the next ring. Oh, how he wanted to play! Walking past the "crowd" or meeting the friendly dog were nothing compared to that!

more housing resources...

Ways to help individuals - "HurricaneHousing.org"

Alex can really pose, yes? I gave Alex a good brushing this weekend, so he went to the top of the yard to show it off. He is avidly watching the neighbors, I can't take credit for his pose. We did pass our second CGC this weekend. Not an easy task when there was a Golden doing long 'comes' that looked like LOTS of FUN in the next ring! Have a great Labor Day weekend - time to plan for that retirement!

Dogs in the city

There are no less than 7 dogs in the houses you can see here, plus a little female just past the far right and a weimereiner across the street. Who says dogs need country to be happy?

During a rest moment, Gregor decides he needs a little additional support from his friend, Alex.

Sunday - Tryst is laying in the sun, waiting for his favorite person to come and get him. I think he is ready for a very long nap! He did lots of running this week!

Tryst speeds by the cat on his way to somewhere, while Alex stops to spend a second with his littlest buddy.

All the shepherd dogs together - Finn with hose and the others trying to herd him to wherever. They found out that Finn will not be herded.

While Tryst was with us, Finn and Gregor's folks went off for the weekend. Now we were really going to have fun! See how good Tryst has gotten at jumping the rock walls!!

"We don't have to run ALL the time, do we?"

Things are slowing down now. Late afternoon and Alex is resting in the pool while Tryst watches from the shade above.

Here is Tryst - rolling just for the joy of it!

First one in front, then the other!

Finally! A dog he can run and dodge and chase and be chased by! Watching two Tervs run is really FUN!

Tryst is visiting us this week. Alex was not real happy when I brought a 'stranger' in the front door - but they have gone WAY past this now!

We are looking forward to going to our first Belgian Specialty next spring!

Alex is doing fine, even with the heat at 100 or so today. Of course, he is only outside for 10-20 minutes at a time. He loves the pool and the running hose.

Three for a nap

My three fur-kids, resting after a busy Saturday. There is something that keeps them close together. I was sitting near by, on the computer with them all within a couple feet. It is so funny to watch the dogs rest while the cat watches over them. Carlos is tired, but still heads up, he is afraid one of the others will want his Kong.

What a family shot!

Summer being what it is, we haven't posted much lately. Alex and I are in an Obedience I class at Queen City Dog Training Club. Alex is loving it, naturally. We have only been a few weeks and already you can see the dogs improving. We have made new friends and are having great fun!

Fresh garden pictures this weekend - great color! No wonder Alex likes to cut through the garden! I don't think this is where he found his bee, though. There is plenty of clover in the yard this year. That is the likeliest place.

Here's hoping you all had a grand and safe Independence Day! I went with friends Saturday night to a family party and fireworks. Sunday, we visited our neighbors for a grill out - complete with our best canine friends. Alex enjoyed hanging out with Gregor and Finn, as usual. Monday morning, he stepped on a bee or something and started limping. His paw swelled up so I soaked it in Epsom salts and gave him a benidryl. He seemed fine in the afternoon, but the limp kicked in again on Tuesday morning. Luckily, I was taking a vacation day. We visited Dr Liz - always fun for both of them (LOL) - and confirmed my sketchy diagnosis. I have tried to keep him quiet the rest of today and gave him more benidryl when we got home. It is so sad to see him limping around. At least I know it is not broken this time.

All the dogs are pretty tired tonight - besides Alex's bath (below), Finn and Gregor spent the weekend with us. By Sunday afternoon, all heads were LOW and bodies were pretty flat. Guess they played a bit much? We were outside ALL day today, pretty much from 7 am to 8:30 pm. Even I will go to bed early tonight. Back to work tomorrow!

Father's Day was sunny and breezy at our house. Alex got his first official bath today - in his blue pool. For all that he loves water, I think he likes to do it independently! LOL He is fluffy and adult looking, all brushed out.

Got a great shot of Kit's blue eyes, could not resist posting.

June 4 - the pool is open for the summer! Alex is thrilled. He is also very interested in where the water comes from. So much so, that when I turned it off (but just left the hose) he chewed the hose to find out where the water was. He was very disappointed when no more came out!

Butler County Dog Show, Hamilton OH

Do you remember Ace from the pond in March ? (see archives posted March 6-7) The boys got together again this weekend and after some adolescent posturing - can you say youthful testosterone? - they had a grand time chasing the girls and all round carrying on.

Gildy won Best of Breed for the Malinois both days!

Paris won Best of Breed (Belgian Tervuren) both days!


Cincinnati Kennel Club, Inc. - Sunday 05/29/05

BELGIAN TERVUREN
JUDGE: Mr. Jon R. Cole

BELGIAN TERVUREN. Puppy, 9 to 12 Months Dogs.
1/W/BW 9 FAKAISER'S JOKER. DN 10370601. 07-21-04
(3 Points) By Xoran Van De Hoge Laer - Fakaiser's Avila.
Owner: Patty Naulty., Elizabeth, IN 47117. Breeder: Bente Harlem & Dag Harlem.

BELGIAN TERVUREN. 12 to 18 Months Dogs.
1 21 JUST-A-WYN SKID IN SIDEWAYS. DN 06357704. 03-08-04
By Ch Sunset's Orion A - Ch ShumakerHills, Just-A-Wyn-E The Pooh.
Owner: Patricia Heisler., Cincinnati, OH 45204. Breeder: Mary Lynn Wyneiski.

BELGIAN TERVUREN. Bred by Exhibitor Dogs.
1 11 ENORA A PERFECT HOLE IN ONE. DN 05710703. 11-17-03
By Ch Perfect Of The Two CD - Ch Klaar Altesse Victoria Secret CDX PT.
Owner: Patricia Borgo & James Borgo., Shelbyville, KY 40065. Breeder: Patricia & James Borgo.

BELGIAN TERVUREN. Open Dogs.
3 7 BLAK JAK'S PIZARRO. DN 06426803. 12-30-03
By Lodi De La Prairie De La Sommerau - Ch Marguax De La Closerie De Yenda.
Owner: Tracy Pruss Karceski., Union, KY 41091. Breeder: Patty Naulty.
1/R 15 MONT CENIS BEAU GESTE NAJ. DL 89275209. 09-07-01
By Ch Acajou Et Chimay Gigolo - Ch Phenix's Sundance De Rue CDX NAJ OA.
Owner: Gail S Frazier & Thomas Frazier III., Louisville, KY 402071618. Breeder: Richard Ramler & Katherine McKenny & Violette Wilson.
2 19 MAXIMUM FIND SILVERTRACE. DN 09209001. 03-22-03
By Maximum Baiser D'Adieux - Debelisi Irrepressible.
Owner: Eddie Williams., Cincinnati, OH 45255. Breeder: Laura Maxim.

BELGIAN TERVUREN. Puppy, 9 to 12 Months Bitches.
1/W 8 TOUJOURS JEUNE MYSTIC WIND. DN 08272805. 08-26-04
(1 Point) By Ch Cinema Sweet Tooth - Ch Magic's Brise Toujours Jeune.
Owner: John Clifton & Lori Keele., Lexington, KY 40503. Breeder: Ken Salerno & Vicki Salerno.

BELGIAN TERVUREN. Open Bitches.
1/R 12 MONTAGE BEACH BLANKET BINGO HT. DL 90962302. 06-05-02
By Ch Neartic De Le Grande Lande - Ch Montage Jazz Singer PT.
Owner: Susan Geers-Meiners & Kathy Madden., Bethel, OH 45106. Breeder: Kathy Madden.

BELGIAN TERVUREN. Best of Breed Competition.
OS 10 CH BLAK JAK'S OPIUM. DL 90621901. 01-13-02
By Ch Olim De La Tangi Morgane - Ch Margaux De La Closerie De Yenda. Bitch.
Owner: Patty Naulty., Elizabeth, IN 471178047. Breeder: Patty Naulty & Judith Lee Specht & Kathleen Zahs.
B 17 CH NICHA'S SOUPCON DE PARIS PT. LN 755274. 07-11-01
By Nicha Question De Charisme - Nicha Nova Une Etoile Est Nee. Dog.
Owner: Brooke Cole, Michele Gauvin., Park Hills, KY 41011. Breeder: Michele Gauvin.

If anyone ever asks, yes, FIVE Belgians CAN fit in a small yard and have lots of fun!!

First Crush!

Alex's first crush - "Gildy" a Belgian Malinois. Met at the Butler County Show this weekend in Hamilton Ohio.

"Aunt Susan" getting Alex ready for tomorrow. WOW, he looks more adult and professional already!

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!!

If a dog was your teacher, you would learn stuff like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days, drink lots of water, and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around, and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
When you are having a bad day, lick your balls.