All we need on Christmas Eve

Santa is coming tonight. But Ojo and I have decided that even though there is no snow, we already have everything we need for Christmas...

... our people.

(And a nice, long walk.)

How are you celebrating Christmas Eve?

Was that naughty? (by Ojo)

Was that a Naughty thing I did?

Is Santa not going to come for me any more?

What about this? I was only trying to help!

Oh Santa, I promise to be Good from now on, if only you will still come for me! I love you, Santa! Please bring me a bone! And a toy! And a couch of my own!

Saturday Selfie

So I stand here... And I look at your little black thingy... And I press this button...

And this is a selfie?

Wow! Look everyone, I took a selfie! I am very clever, no?

(Too bad my person is hanging out in the background...)

Wordless Wednesday 12/17/14 - HI!!!!!!! (by Ojo)

Stinky rabbit farts, and a scarf (by Ojo)

Hi hi hi! Ojo here!

The people say I have stinky rabbit farts. This is because I ate a stinky rabbit.

So then they put this scarf on me. People are weird.
(But doesn't it look fabulous with my fur?)

What beach?

Oh Beach

Where have you gone?

Where there is usually sand for running on,

Now there is deep, cold water.

Where there are usually critters and seaweed to sniff,

Now there are logs.

Where there is usually much room for playing and sniffing,

Now there is none.

We sit on a log

And we wonder

What does "super high winter tide" mean?

And when are you coming back,

Oh Beach?

Wordless Wednesday 12/10/14

My Christmas wish this year

You know, I am six and a half years old now. I have seen a lot of the world go by. I have eaten much bacon, ran down many trails, and sniffed many smells.

And as I look around at the world, I realize I am a lucky Dog. I have a warm home. I have people who love me and keep me healthy and try to listen to me. I have learned manners, and tricks, and agility, and treibball. I can nap in whatever warm, comfy spot I wish.

But not all Dogs have this. Some do not have people. Some do have people, but the people are not always as caring. Some Dogs get hurt. Some Dogs get scared. Some Dogs are hungry or lonely or cold.

My person heard recently about a Dog who has a home, but her people don't really like her. She has to stay in the car all day so that she does not get in the way of her family. At night she stays in the laundry room. They do not really want her, but her people will not find her a new home either.

So I am sending out a prayer to all Dogs.

May you all have full bellies and warm places to sleep. May you all have people who love you and respect you and treat you with kindness. May you all be free from pain and loneliness and suffering. May you be given exercise, and taken exciting places to sniff, and be provided with good things to chew and stimulating activities to do each day.

And may you all have bacon, at least once and a while.

That is my Christmas wish this year.

This is us

Are we not the Best Dogs Ever?

Hard cold puddles (by Ojo)

Hi hi hi! Ojo here!

Something happened to our drinking puddles this week!

They became crunchy... And cold!

Are you having problems with your puddles too?

I have to be GOOD??? (by Ojo)

Hi hi hi! Ojo here!

Something terrible! Christmas is coming!

No, wait, that's not the terrible part. Christmas is happy and means things like family and turkey!

The terrible part is that now need to be Good! If I am not Good, Santa will not come leave me a bone or toys or treats! And I want a bone and toys and treats!

But being Good is so very hard!!

(What the heck are these glowing things, by the way??)

My littlest person took these photos. So she is being Good. (Aren't they pawesome? She is a great photographer!)

But I'm having a much harder time being Good!

Help me out, friends. Here is my list from today:

• I sat on top of the mountain in the cold while our person pointed her Big Black Eye at us over and over and over again. I was very patient. Pretty Good, right?
• I wanted to go out the door but Cobi was in the way so I pushed under her body and then she fell into the water. Oops, not so Good. (And Cobi has already told Santa I am sure!)
• I went straight from the car to the back gate without stopping to chase squirrels. This is Good!
• I chased Jack the Cat and jumped on his head. Not Good.
• I waited for my breakfast until the people said "Okay!". Good.
• I drooled all over the floor while waiting. Not Good.

What can I do? How can I be better? How are you Good so that Santa will come??

Winter Sun

The winter sun feels nice on our furs.

Do you have Winter Sun where you are? Or Winter Rain? Winter Snow? Is it even Winter at all? (Nature is so crazy to be different for all our friends!)

We wish you some warm, soft Winter Sun!

Wordless Wednesday 12/03/14

...But We'd Rather be Playing

Nature has been making Cold and Sun. There is the littlest bit of snow on the ground (in the shady places), and also much frost and many ice crystals. Our walks have been very slippery.

Today we climbed to the top of the world. There was a cold wind that brought many smells from far away.

Our person had cheese and garlic sausage. She asked us to do "pose" for her Big Black Eye. We did, because we are Good Dogs. But really, we'd rather be playing.

ME (by Ojo)

What do you mean I stink?

You don't like the smells I rolled in? But I rolled in them just for you!

Sigh. Humans just don't appreciate the finer smells in life.

Wordless Wednesday (by Ojo)

Black & White Sunday 11/16/14 (by Ojo)

Fred the Crow

This is Fred.

He (or she, we do not know how to tell) is a Crow. When we go to the Beach called Dallas Road, Fred comes to find us. Our person is making friends with Fred. He follows us for half of our walk.

Other Crows come sometimes too, but Fred usually finds us first, and stays the longest.

How do we know it is Fred? Well, friends, if you look closely it is possible to tell Crows apart. Fred is young, and sleek, and lean, and his feathers are shiny with blue and green tints in the sun. He is a very handsome Crow.

And he never bothers us, never squaks or flaps at us. He just follows along.

But I have a confession to make. Sometimes I chase Fred. Because, and I must ask - why would anyone want to make friends with a bird??

Wordless Wednesday 11/12/14

Pee Ess To answer your questions, this is not snow! (Which is very sad. I would like snow, please.) No, this is lines of seaweed on the Beach! Seaweed and sand. Very interesting sniffing...

Military Dogs (and Other Animals) - We Remember

Friends, lest we forget, animals have been an important part of military history, many giving their lives for our countries.

Dogs served, and continue to serve today, as guardians, rescuers, watchdogs, messengers, detectors of dangerous gases and explosives and landmines, and many more brave and dangerous things. In the people's World War II, the American Army was desperate for Dogs (because we are so very amazing), and thousands of humans across the country gave up their beloved pets to be drafted into military work overseas. Today dogs are born and raised just for military service.

Cats were also brave in war - they carried messages and acted as spies. Many, many horses were used as well (in World War I over 8 million horses died, and 2.5 million more were injured transporting soldiers and weapons and supplies). Also in war were rodents and birds who went into tunnels sniffing for poisonous gas, plus donkeys, reindeer and elephants who carried things for the people.

Gander - Hero Dog from Canada

This is Gander. He was a Canadian Military Dog, a member of The Royal Rifles of Canada in World War II. In Hong Kong, one of his acts of bravery was charging a group of Japanese soldiers as they approached wounded Canadian soldiers, likely saving the soldiers' lives. 

Gander died in the Battle of Lye Mun on Dec. 19, 1942, when he picked up a grenade and carried it away from a group of soldiers. The grenade exploded, ending his life.

Treo - Hero Dog from Britain

This is Treo. He is a bomb-sniffer who has detected many bombs with his amazing nose and saved hundreds of human lives! (And been given medals for his service!)

Chips - Hero Dog from USA

This is Chips. (Don't you think Chips looks like me? This makes him an extra-special hero to me!) 

Chips was an American Dog who served in World War II in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. In Sicily in 1943, Chips and his person were trapped by people with machine guns. Chips charged the people, attacked them, pinned them down, and forced their surrender. (He was much very brave!)

Sarbi - Hero Dog from Australia

This is Sarbi. She was working as a bomb-sniffing Dog when, in September 2008, her person and their unit were attacked by the Taliban. Many of the people were wounded, and she got separated from them and lost! She survived for a whole year inside the Taliban heartland. In 2009 she was found in northeastern Uruzgan and reunited with her person. (This story has a happy ending!)

Here are more stories of brave military Dogs from around the world (and the source of the four stories I shared with you today):

http://barkpost.com/the-bravest-military-dogs/

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada, and so today we take extra time to think of all the Dogs (and Cats and Horses and every other kind of animal) who served the people taking care of our countries so that Ojo and I can roam our beaches and forests and mountains in safety. 

We remember. 

(Canadian Military Dogs Tracer, Trooper and Trigger standing at attention. Source: http://khanrahan.com/2013/03/14/military-dog-picture-of-the-week/)

BALL! (by Ojo)

Hi hi hi! Ojo here!

Today we went to the Beach, but that's not the exciting part. (Although there were dead crabs for eating, and Dogs to play with, and sticks to chase.)

But the most exciting part was when Ball came out on the grass up top!

Here is my Ode to Ball:

Oh Ball!

You are tricky!
Very, very tricky!

But I love to chase you, oh Ball!
And I love to catch you, oh Ball!

And then I carry you in my mouth,
And everything is good in the world!

I love you, oh Ball!

Black & White Sunday 11/19/14 (by Ojo)

Time to go yet?

Isn't it time to go YET?

The sun is out! It's time for our Walk! Let's go!!!

SQUEAK DUCK! (by Ojo)

Hi hi hi! Ojo here!

This is my new bestest awesomest friend - Squeak Duck!

Squeak Duck comes with us on all our Walks now!

Squeak Duck is so awesome that often I forget about all those other critters out there... like squirrels... and bunnies... and birds... Instead, when Squeak Duck comes out, I play!

RARW! I am fierce!

Got him!!

Here he is! Let's play again!!! Tug tug tug! I am a hunter of Squeak Ducks!!!

My person, if you throw him, I will bring him again for you!

Got him! RARW!!!

Wahoo!!! We run with Squeak Duck!

Here I come!

Let's tug again!! Hah, I've got him!!! I kill this Squeak Duck!

I love my Squeak Duck.