tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35811948096855219892024-03-12T17:50:44.704-05:00Tales and TailsJust stories about my life with greyhounds and the hilarity that ensues with everyday life.houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.comBlogger515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-17252043716635557562011-03-09T00:00:00.001-06:002011-03-09T00:00:01.970-06:00It's Official!If you've been wondering where we are, you probably haven't bookmarked our new site. It's <a href="http://talesandtails.com/">http://talesandtails.com</a>. We'd love to see you there!<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Following the blog is easy. If you use Google Reader, you copy the web address and post it into your Google Reader. If you read blogs through the dashboard on Blogger, you just copy the web address, look at the bottom of the box and click on the "add" button. You can paste the website address in the pop up box and still follow the blog through your blogger dashboard. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQozC4uT8qg/TVdqysjWrBI/AAAAAAAADnE/yAzhpSgsepg/s1600/Blogger+Add.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQozC4uT8qg/TVdqysjWrBI/AAAAAAAADnE/yAzhpSgsepg/s640/Blogger+Add.png" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a>Leaving comments on the blog is easy. The first time you comment, it will ask you for your user name and e-mail address. It also asks for your website address, but entering that is optional. You'll be asked if you'd like to add a <a href="http://en.gravatar.com/">Gravatar</a>. This is simply an avatar that follows you to other Gravatar-enabled websites and is linked to your e-mail address. If you already have one with Wordpress, it should show up on the blog. You don't need to have one to post on the blog by any means. It's a simple process, however, if you're interested in adding one. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you have any other questions for us, please don't hesitate to ask. We want to make the transition go seamlessly and we very much still want to see our blog friends comment on the <a href="http://talesandtails.com/">new site</a>.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ya52GRTYhWM/TWh5hN5qo6I/AAAAAAAADr8/jZPUFJHKJ9w/s1600/race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ya52GRTYhWM/TWh5hN5qo6I/AAAAAAAADr8/jZPUFJHKJ9w/s640/race.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_X7Rt6Di2X0/TWh5ituDEkI/AAAAAAAADsA/iJpWsARP-WY/s1600/bunnyspotlight+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_X7Rt6Di2X0/TWh5ituDEkI/AAAAAAAADsA/iJpWsARP-WY/s320/bunnyspotlight+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_GtumI3F3kY/TWh5xHupScI/AAAAAAAADsM/jsJ6ZuOJT_I/s1600/pipspotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_GtumI3F3kY/TWh5xHupScI/AAAAAAAADsM/jsJ6ZuOJT_I/s320/pipspotlight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It really was a lot of fun, and I was reminded that having friends is much more important that winning anything. A lot of our friends seemed to enjoy that message a lot and so it was decided that we'd have a banquet to celebrate the big race. Our coaches, <a href="http://wethreedoxies.blogspot.com/">Puddles</a> and <a href="http://dearhsdogblog.blogspot.com/">Roo</a> were also asked to sit at the table of honor with us by <a href="http://frankiefurterprice.blogspot.com/">Frankie</a>, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UuaWek05Ruk/TWh5nwMP2vI/AAAAAAAADsE/BoDwAfL3vIY/s1600/puddlesspotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UuaWek05Ruk/TWh5nwMP2vI/AAAAAAAADsE/BoDwAfL3vIY/s320/puddlesspotlight.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vE-UwQrJByQ/TWh5qzlcXDI/AAAAAAAADsI/adpf3XphuB0/s1600/roospotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vE-UwQrJByQ/TWh5qzlcXDI/AAAAAAAADsI/adpf3XphuB0/s320/roospotlight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have to admit, I was pretty excited about the whole big day. I mean, really, a banquet to honor little me? When my sisters asked to come along with me, I was glad to have them come along with me. Perhaps I should have known better when Lilac was waiting at the back door with a suitcase. Still, I was so excited, I didn't ponder things like that the way I should have. Since there were four of us, I told Puddles not to worry about swinging by in her souped up red Pinto. Instead, we decided to travel in style and we chartered the Spirit of Peoria to take us to the banquet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Eb7E_IWUd0/TWh_SF6a69I/AAAAAAAADsg/1jrDXK1-S04/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Eb7E_IWUd0/TWh_SF6a69I/AAAAAAAADsg/1jrDXK1-S04/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+010.JPG" width="423" /></a></div><br />
After a relaxing ride on the river we arrived and entered through the spotlight. After a rather, um, motivational speech by Pip, we were all ready to eat. There was so much food, I couldn't believe my eyes. I decided to try a taco for the first time, and it was pretty good!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w_06MG0enAY/TWh7EZ26pqI/AAAAAAAADsU/-_CqprCLGBg/s1600/Tacos+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w_06MG0enAY/TWh7EZ26pqI/AAAAAAAADsU/-_CqprCLGBg/s640/Tacos+011.JPG" width="423" /></a></div><br />
I was a bit surprised as the festivities began to find out that Lilac had brought all her green papers in hopes of getting Bono or some other rock star to get a little closer to her. I asked Morgan to make sure that she didn't bring one of them home in our suitcase, but she seemed a little distracted. Blueberry seemed to have ideas about slipping off to the dance floor. I reminded her to be careful with her splint, but I think I heard her say something about how she thought it was time for it to come off. I really hope that all my sisters manage to behave themselves at this party!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ptt-55RUrIc/TWh6tstb-UI/AAAAAAAADsQ/odmZdzq18_E/s1600/Bunny+Snuggle%252C+Bachelorette+Party%252C+Morgan+Chases+Fly+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ptt-55RUrIc/TWh6tstb-UI/AAAAAAAADsQ/odmZdzq18_E/s640/Bunny+Snuggle%252C+Bachelorette+Party%252C+Morgan+Chases+Fly+012.JPG" width="475" /></a></div><br />
If you've written a post about the banquet and would like to add it to the list of festivities, please feel free to join in the fun!<br />
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Will Morgan be able to stay awake to perform her regular patrols? Is that a cat lurking in the bushes or is it one of those sinister plastic bags? Will she ever learn to just relax? Will she retain her German Shepherd identity, or will she start to turn into a Greyhound?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f0fWSPQAV9k/TWiFKYp3uYI/AAAAAAAADsw/nOCHrPbS80Y/s1600/Valentines+075a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f0fWSPQAV9k/TWiFKYp3uYI/AAAAAAAADsw/nOCHrPbS80Y/s320/Valentines+075a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
How long until Blueberry gets to take off her splint? Will she finally get to go away on a trip with the family, or will disappointment strike again? Is there a bath in her near future when the dirty splint comes off?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTl56KPA2OA/TWiEbD_yTrI/AAAAAAAADso/904x1Olgayw/s1600/BlueberryA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTl56KPA2OA/TWiEbD_yTrI/AAAAAAAADso/904x1Olgayw/s1600/BlueberryA1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Will Lilac be able to make another direct hit with poop in the slipper? Can she come up with something even more dastardly to keep her family on their toes? What time will she decide to wake them up at on Saturday morning?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJKVX_t1H1E/TWiEkfUFt-I/AAAAAAAADss/3btOkUxdcOM/s1600/2663Lilac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJKVX_t1H1E/TWiEkfUFt-I/AAAAAAAADss/3btOkUxdcOM/s320/2663Lilac.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
Can sweet little Bunny ever get enough satisfaction through petting? Will she find something else to fill the void? What will her next big adventure be?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Kuy1Mkq5q0/TWiETRf9BmI/AAAAAAAADsk/Au0jqc8SDf0/s1600/NOARcarrie1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Kuy1Mkq5q0/TWiETRf9BmI/AAAAAAAADsk/Au0jqc8SDf0/s320/NOARcarrie1a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If your dogs starred in a soap opera, what would it be? What would people be dying to turn in to find out about?<br />
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I had joked with my husband earlier that I never get foot rubs anymore, and so upon his return home, he sat on the couch beside me to better massage my feet instead of in his chair, setting off a chain reaction of events. Firstly, Bunny was offended that he sat on our couch uninvited, by her at least, and set out to let him know that he'd better make room for the princess. She does this by staring at him with her invisible laser beam eyes and if those fail to work, she finds a way to climb into the narrowest possible sliver of available couch space and laying down. To keep the peace, he simply scooted over closer to me and gave her the whole cushion at the other end of the couch. Bunny laid down, content that she'd asserted her authority.<br />
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Now I should mention that a while back, Mr. Taleteller started the habit of always taking the dogs out when he got home, whether it was turn out time or not. I warned him that it wasn't a good idea, but he seems to think that he knows better. Alas, I digress. Lately, he's been rather annoyed that whenever Lilac sees him come home, she expects him to escort her outside to take car of business. Telling him that I think he taught her that would probably be unwise. Anyway, there was the excitement of his arrival, followed by the theft of the bed she wanted by a certain blue brindle mastermind. Lilac was walking around the living room and suddenly decided to drop a few turdlets into our life. My husband jumped off the couch and grabbed a tissue, flushing the offending and stinky thing down the toilet before retiring to his own chair to catch up on his own online things. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9chdD3wafsE/TWclX_ys7kI/AAAAAAAADr4/AbvMiABmxPc/s1600/Lilac+in+Purple+003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9chdD3wafsE/TWclX_ys7kI/AAAAAAAADr4/AbvMiABmxPc/s640/Lilac+in+Purple+003a.jpg" width="423" /></a></div><br />
I sat on the couch and I could have sworn that I still smelled the offending odor. Since my spouse had already been...less than happy about the earlier herald of his arrival home, I tried to avoid saying anything. Finally, unable to take any more, I decided to get up and look around. That's when I saw it. A turdlet lay nestled in my new fuzzy pink slipper. How she managed to poop in my slipper is a mystery for the ages. "It was a million to one shot, doc," Mr. Taleteller chortled. I was unable to see the humor in the situation. At least my husband carried the slipper off to the washing machine before I throttled a certain dark brindle Greyhound.<br />
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Me: Why would you poop in my slipper?<br />
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Lilac: You've got to poop when the spirit says "poop."<br />
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Me: It's not funny! Don't you have any shame?<br />
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Lilac: Shame? Is this another one of those complicated human emotions? I don't trouble myself with those.<br />
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Me: (grumbling) You're lucky you're old!<br />
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Lilac: It's not the party you make it out to be, but it has a few perks.<br />
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Me: Obviously!<br />
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Lilac: I'll just be over here taking my late evening nap if you decide to start passing out bedtime treats.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTEi8QeN-m0/TWcjwSPxuRI/AAAAAAAADrw/B8KnVASh_6M/s1600/Lilac+in+Purple+008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aTEi8QeN-m0/TWcjwSPxuRI/AAAAAAAADrw/B8KnVASh_6M/s640/Lilac+in+Purple+008a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I know she didn't do it on purpose. It's just one of those indignities of old age, and they aren't easy for the aged or those living with them. I'm praying that it was a million to one shot that can never be repeated. Still, just to be sure, I'll be watching TV this weekend with my slippers on. After all the times Bunny has joked about "poo in the shoe" I never thought it could really happen to me. Still, what can you do besides laugh about it? Okay, I'll admit, I'd have laughed a lot harder initially if it had happened to someone else. I'm just glad that we still have her around with us and can laugh about her antics. <br />
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<br />
Bad breath and cosmetics aren't the only reasons that dental health is important for your dog, though. Bad teeth and gums can lead to heart disease, and if your dogs' mouth is hurting, he's not going to eat as well. One of the few times, and the worst time, that I was ever bitten by a dog was a sweet little Greyhound who'd been returned by her adopters. They hadn't taken care of her teeth at all and she had a horrible tooth infection. When I touched her neck, it was so painful that she turned and bit me. I saw her again after her treatment and she was absolutely the sweetest little lovebug imaginable. I can't begin to imagine what kind of pain she'd been in. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pziSaDhJhtM/TWSPKSnFuAI/AAAAAAAADrY/Jt6koFO9Log/s1600/Greenies+005a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pziSaDhJhtM/TWSPKSnFuAI/AAAAAAAADrY/Jt6koFO9Log/s640/Greenies+005a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There are a lot of ways to combat tooth problems in your dog. Daily tooth brushing helps a lot. We were recently given Science Diet T/D for Blueberry, and while it's too expensive for me to feed four dogs for each meal, it does make a good treat and our dogs are crazy over it. We also use CET mouthwash that we got from our vet. When I notice some tartar buildup, I do some teeth scaling on our dogs who will let me do it. <br />
<br />
Another good way to keep dogs' teeth clean is to give them things to chew, either toys, bones or dental treats. Our dogs love Greenies and if I would give them one every day, they'd eat one every day. It's several minutes of silence here when all four of them have their Greenies because everybody is busy concentrating on their treat.<br />
<br />
February is National Pet Dental Health Month. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is a group like the ADA (American Dental Association) that is applied to pet products. While there are a lot of products that claim to be good for your pet's dental health, not all of them are VOHC approved. The fact that the VOHC even existed was news to me, but it's nice to know that there are people out there overseeing pet products. They actually do research and testing to see that these products are effective in the breakdown of plaque and tartar. <br />
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There's a campaign by Greenies and the American Animal Health Association to help fund veterinary dental services for needy pets through the Helping Pets Fund. The fund makes a wide range of veterinary services available to pets that have been abandoned or whose families can't afford them. We have chosen to help, and you can as well, if you are so motivated. There are several ways that you can help and get Greenies to contribute to the Helping Pets Fund.<br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 49.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For every blog post written about VOHC, The GREENIES® Brand will donate $25 to the AAHA Helping Pet’s Fund</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 49.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For every use of #VOHC on <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1298344218_7">Twitter</span> (either through an original post or a re-tweet), The GREENIES® Brand will donate $1 to the AAHA Helping Pet’s Fund.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 49.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For every new “like” of the GREENIES® <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1298344218_8">Facebook</span> fan page from February 17—<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1298344218_9" style="border-bottom: rgb(54,99,136) 2px dotted;">March 14</span>, The GREENIES® Brand will donate $1 to the AAHA Helping Pet’s Fund.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbLuLBD--YY/TWSPDxTkkWI/AAAAAAAADrU/tYefT4jTGJs/s1600/Greenies+008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xbLuLBD--YY/TWSPDxTkkWI/AAAAAAAADrU/tYefT4jTGJs/s640/Greenies+008a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Whether you choose to participate in the campaign or not, I do hope that you will at least take a few minutes to think about your own pets' dental health after you read this. Your dog may not appreciate having his or her teeth brushed, but leaving them at the vet's office to worry about them all day while they have a dental is worse. Aside from that, fresh dog breath is a lot more pleasant to smell right before your dog plants a big sloppy kiss on you. <br />
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<br />
We had plans to go out out hiking since the temperature had risen into the mild range. It was great to see all that snow from Snowpacolype melting away and becoming a memory. However, when Dad started checking some of the places we hadn't been to that were somewhat nearby, we started to see a trend. A lot of the nearest state parks were closed due to flooding. Darn Mother Nature for giving us this beautiful weather and then making it the very reason we couldn't go to those places. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFS52EpRAg/TWB-5Gfxa9I/AAAAAAAADpw/QWb-O3-iDes/s1600/Comlara+Park+Hike+032a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynFS52EpRAg/TWB-5Gfxa9I/AAAAAAAADpw/QWb-O3-iDes/s640/Comlara+Park+Hike+032a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
However, we were not to be deterred. We decided to go visit Comlara Park which is near us, but it not a state park. It belongs to the county where it's located around a lovely lake. I don't think a lot of people know about it, but that's okay with us. It means we had it all to ourselves. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtUIhINFoE4/TWB_lcqUWuI/AAAAAAAADqE/xKVXvjcATG4/s1600/Comlara+Park+Hike+082a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtUIhINFoE4/TWB_lcqUWuI/AAAAAAAADqE/xKVXvjcATG4/s640/Comlara+Park+Hike+082a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There was nobody else out there to scare the birds who were singing lovely spring tunes and we are pretty sure there were some deer up in the tree lines watching us as we went through the forest. It was really muddy and squishy, but we had a great time. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_4he-KtzHg/TWB_a3q_2eI/AAAAAAAADqA/cyE1GB_jl4A/s1600/Comlara+Park+Hike+051a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_4he-KtzHg/TWB_a3q_2eI/AAAAAAAADqA/cyE1GB_jl4A/s640/Comlara+Park+Hike+051a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Mom and I were out there to have a nice stroll and enjoy the early signs of Spring, but Morgan and Dad were also doing a little work. They are having an important evaluation next month and so they are brushing up on some things. I have my paws crossed for them to make it, because it's something Dad has always wanted to do with a canine companion, and between you and me, it's more work than I want to do. I'll stick to being a Greyhound ambassador and being a therapy dog. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcsZ9CnOLZk/TWB_D1UyY7I/AAAAAAAADp0/d39VLK6dWgU/s1600/Comlara+Park+Hike+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcsZ9CnOLZk/TWB_D1UyY7I/AAAAAAAADp0/d39VLK6dWgU/s640/Comlara+Park+Hike+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We had a lot of fun stretching our legs, breathing the fresh air and seeing the first hints of Spring. I really hope that Mother Nature doesn't have any more tricks up her sleeve for us. I am definitely ready for warmer weather and longer hikes. It looks like we're not the only ones who are ready for it, either.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozGeMKl5tQk/TWB-tP1Qc-I/AAAAAAAADps/A1iUsU9jXlQ/s1600/Comlara+Park+Hike+004a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozGeMKl5tQk/TWB-tP1Qc-I/AAAAAAAADps/A1iUsU9jXlQ/s640/Comlara+Park+Hike+004a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Are any of you seeing signs of Spring where you are?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ippJZKPRm-o/TWB_wfl_h-I/AAAAAAAADqM/UnOmkhNVU14/s1600/Comlara+Park+Hike+117a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ippJZKPRm-o/TWB_wfl_h-I/AAAAAAAADqM/UnOmkhNVU14/s640/Comlara+Park+Hike+117a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</script></div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-11479182325278146582011-02-21T00:00:00.015-06:002011-02-21T00:00:12.120-06:00Are You There, God? It's Me, Lilac's Person...Dear God,<br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure you have a sense of humor. I suspect that over the last eight years, you've had some good belly laughs over some of the things we've been through with Lilac. As a matter of fact, I have to wonder if you sent her here to us for your own amusement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXTp6pDtVKI/TWGqb8ULM7I/AAAAAAAADqs/RfxyfujbA1c/s1600/831838-R1-03-33Small-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXTp6pDtVKI/TWGqb8ULM7I/AAAAAAAADqs/RfxyfujbA1c/s640/831838-R1-03-33Small-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
First, there's that penchant she has for thievery. When she first came to us, it was mainly trash can raids that were harmless. That night when she stole all the chili cook off taste cups out of the trash while all of hubby's family was in the basement was an extra special memory that we'll cherish, though. Dogs and chili do not mix. Oh, how you must have laughed first as we cleaned up hoping nobody would come upstairs to the mess and then as we tried to sleep through vapors that probably had our whole village glowing nuclear green from the heavens!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K8OZv3H5FHk/TWGqlmHasJI/AAAAAAAADq4/bn8nhudhKu0/s1600/December+2004hatshatshats+028+%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K8OZv3H5FHk/TWGqlmHasJI/AAAAAAAADq4/bn8nhudhKu0/s640/December+2004hatshatshats+028+%2528Small%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
Of course, there's that sweet habit she has for showing her appreciation for a good meal, too. She walks up to us with that sweet adoring expression before belching in our faces like a truck driver. We fall for it every darned time, too! I wonder how many times you've slapped your knee over that one.<br />
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We also have the secret thrill she gets from chewing up bits of paper, or even magazines, on the occasions when she's suffering a fit of pique, too. My favorite was the time she chewed the little piece of paper that had those tiny extra elastic strings for my nook cover attached. Did you laugh until you cried when I had to extract them since they didn't quite make it all the way through? I have to say, I'm still not too amused by that one myself. I thought at some point she'd grow out of that habit, but this happened just a month ago. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMGtFOolT-4/TWGqc2KgQ3I/AAAAAAAADqw/NvWGjeL6KBM/s1600/Bunny+Slippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMGtFOolT-4/TWGqc2KgQ3I/AAAAAAAADqw/NvWGjeL6KBM/s320/Bunny+Slippers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then we have that habit she has of waking us up at 3:30 in the morning. Has that joke not gotten old after two years? I mean, I could laugh about it back when it was just half an hour before the alarm went off, but we have to get up and go to work. Maybe it's the sleep deprivation that keeps me from seeing how funny that is.<br />
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Along with that, we have the random barking. Didn't you get the memo we got from the adoption group about how Greyhounds don't bark? I'm trying my best to keep her happy, but it's hard to tell the "fluff my bed appropriately" bark from the "I need to go outside NOW" bark and the "move the fan two centimeters to the left" bark. They sound a lot alike and are often barked from the same position in the living room. Does it amuse you to see me jumping through her hoops to make her happy?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm5noDpBHXw/TWGqgXNwx6I/AAAAAAAADq0/wJANRaE8iAc/s1600/Lilac%2527s+11th+Birthday+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm5noDpBHXw/TWGqgXNwx6I/AAAAAAAADq0/wJANRaE8iAc/s640/Lilac%2527s+11th+Birthday+020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I suppose I should mention those surprise murder scene sites that we become victim once in a while, too. Why does she always have to break a nail when we're getting home late and tired or trying to leave the house in a hurry? If this is a lesson in patience, consider it well learned. Really, we don't need to repeat this lesson anymore. I promise!<br />
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Anyway, I'm happy that we've been able to provide all these years of entertainment for you. It's been worth it to share the sweet moments in life with her. I'd forgive her anything when she gives me that devil may care look or presses her head to my chest or wraps around my neck and squeezes. I freely admit that I've become a better person by sharing these years with her. I have to be more patient and compassionate than I was when she came here. I'm just asking for one thing. You know she's getting pretty long in the tooth. She's a wise elder in Greyhound years. I'd like to wrap her in bubble wrap and protect her from everything in the world, but she's still a bossy and independent old lady. Please, one of these days when the time comes, let her just go to sleep one night and not wake up. I just don't have the heart to send her into the gentle sleep on my own. I think that's a fair trade off for all the amusement we've given you over the years.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Lilac's Human Servant<br />
<br />
<i>We'd like to send our sincere condolences out to our friend Guinness' dad. He lost his battle with stomach cancer over the weekend, and really made me think about how short our time of stewardship is with our beloved canine companions. Our dogs would all be perfect if they'd just live forever, or at least as long as we do.</i><br />
<br />
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</script></div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-65009051328183816512011-02-19T00:00:00.001-06:002011-02-19T00:00:03.488-06:00Good Things Come To Those Who WaitIt's been a long week at our house. Maybe it's getting used to going back to work after having all those snow days. It might also have something to do with the fact that this was conference week at school. Thursday night I didn't get home until almost bedtime. I was mobbed by four happy dogs when I got home, though, which made me feel better. At least the girls missed me.<br />
<br />
After slowly making my way through the kitchen and sitting my things down I was able to kneel down and greet each of them properly. It seemed that each of them had something they needed to tell me.<br />
<br />
Lilac: I'm hungry, dammit! Dad didn't arrange my kibble in my bowl the way I like it! Where were you?<br />
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Blueberry: It was horrible! Dad took Morgan and Bunny for a walk and left me here! <br />
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Morgan: Where have you been?! Do you have any idea how worried I've been about you? Let me give you a thorough sniff over and see what you've been up to!<br />
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Bunny: I've missed you! Oh, I had to share a walk with Morgan and Dad and it wasn't nearly as fun as it is with you and I had to eat my food and fight off Morgan and Blueberry and Dad didn't do anything about it and I had to share the couch with Blue and Morgan and I had to sit in the middle with no armrest and I've really missed you! Promise me you aren't leaving again.<br />
<br />
I'll just say for the record that some dogs in our house might be prone to exaggeration. Mr. Taleteller is quite fond of his girls and I don't believe for a second that any injustices were actually committed. It's nice to be missed, though, and I was really glad to see them, too. I made my way to the couch to sit down and unwind a little before going to bed. <br />
<br />
Usually, the Greyhounds lounge about the house during the evening while Morgan goes on patrol. This night, Bunny was curled up tightly against me on the couch, suddenly stretced out as much as her tiny frame could be so that no one else would be interested in dethroning her. Blueberry laid down on the bed nearest me, making eye contact with me every time I looked up. Lilac kept walking over and pressing her head against my chest, making me pet her until her butt was drooping to the floor. Morgan couldn't decide if she should patrol or keep a constant eye on me lest I think about separating from the pack again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdY5ClNgA0/TV9UpXPR5qI/AAAAAAAADpc/b3x5kJmcS_M/s1600/Early+Spring+At+The+Dog+Park%252CBlueberry+Gets+Comfy+069a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHdY5ClNgA0/TV9UpXPR5qI/AAAAAAAADpc/b3x5kJmcS_M/s640/Early+Spring+At+The+Dog+Park%252CBlueberry+Gets+Comfy+069a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Friday, I got off work early because I had worked late Thursday night. Mr. Taleteller decided to take the afternoon off and join me. When I got home, the girls were more than a little excited. It was obviously a pleasant change to their routine.<br />
<br />
Morgan: You're home early! Oh my dog! Can it really be true? How did this happen?<br />
<br />
Me: I'm home early to spend time with you girls. We have a long weekend ahead of us. What would you all like to do?<br />
<br />
Blueberry: I have GOT to get out of this house! You have to take me somewhere! It's not fair that I never get to go with this stupid splint on.<br />
<br />
Lilac: Make sure you feed me! Oh, and I need extra neck scratches! <br />
<br />
Morgan: HIKING! Oh, the sun is shining! Let's go right now! Just let me grab my Wolf Pack!<br />
<br />
Bunny: Hiking sounds nice, and maybe a trip to the dog park. Oh, and I need some snuggle time. Perhaps tomorrow morning in the bed. Oh, yes, and I need Bunny time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KJIrTKbLAA/TV9U1DUOpCI/AAAAAAAADpg/QHgjUR2lQ3Q/s1600/Early+Spring+At+The+Dog+Park%252CBlueberry+Gets+Comfy+100a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KJIrTKbLAA/TV9U1DUOpCI/AAAAAAAADpg/QHgjUR2lQ3Q/s640/Early+Spring+At+The+Dog+Park%252CBlueberry+Gets+Comfy+100a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Me: Well, the good news is that we have all of those things planned. As a matter of fact, we're going to the dog park right now. Blue, you're going for a ride by yourself later. Lilac, we'll make sure we scratch you if you can at least let us sleep until when the alarm clock would normally go off.<br />
<br />
Lilac: I can make promises, but my bladder has a mind of its own. <br />
<br />
Me: Um, well, it's the thought that counts. Can you at least give it a try?<br />
<br />
Lilac: I'll try to only wake Dad up in the morning. Is it a deal?<br />
<br />
Me: It works for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REa6uTQUcaY/TV9VXniBO0I/AAAAAAAADpo/_0BjBfXn1SM/s1600/Lilac+in+Purple+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REa6uTQUcaY/TV9VXniBO0I/AAAAAAAADpo/_0BjBfXn1SM/s640/Lilac+in+Purple+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>So, our weekend started early with a trip to the dog park. Bunny and Morgan ran and played to their hearts' content with a young Shepherd/Husky cross until Morgan had turned into a mudball. Bunny managed to get only her little toes dirty, even while running like a little dervish through the park. We stopped at the season opening of the local Ice Cream Shack and enjoyed the surprisingly pleasant afternoon. Bunny and Morgan's spirits weren't even diminished by taking baths when we got home. I guess the pleasant outlook for the long weekend is contagious. Sometimes you just have to take time to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Early Spring weather has a way of reminding you about those things. Now I'll just hope that Lilac's bladder will remember her promise to let us sleep in just a little. May everyone's weekend be pleasant and full of things you've been waiting to do!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGktnhf6G5A/TV9UcuoCo-I/AAAAAAAADpY/w6BmsiQ6WhM/s1600/Early+Spring+At+The+Dog+Park%252CBlueberry+Gets+Comfy+003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGktnhf6G5A/TV9UcuoCo-I/AAAAAAAADpY/w6BmsiQ6WhM/s640/Early+Spring+At+The+Dog+Park%252CBlueberry+Gets+Comfy+003a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/?action=view&current=BlueberryTypes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Blueberry Types for the Blog" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/BlueberryTypes.jpg" /></a> <br />
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</script> </div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-64298040089351631192011-02-18T00:00:00.007-06:002011-02-18T00:00:06.151-06:00Ah, Romance!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwElFkuZh9s/TV3uknjPArI/AAAAAAAADo0/NhuAX8co32A/s1600/cat-food-ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwElFkuZh9s/TV3uknjPArI/AAAAAAAADo0/NhuAX8co32A/s200/cat-food-ad.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Well, here it is Friday, and many of us are all thinking about date night. I guess that's one of the good things about getting through the work week. Since Monday was Valentine's Day, a lot of us may have even had extra romance in our lives. I know that we've had more than enough romance here.<br />
<br />
Mr. Taleteller and I actually went out Saturday night to celebrate Valentine's Day. We ate out, saw a movie, and just generally enjoyed each other's company. We agreed that we wanted to stay in Monday night, relax after work and have a nice quiet evening at home together. <br />
<br />
Monday night got off to a good start. I arrived home to find my husband had taken off work early and had roses and chocolate waiting for me on the kitchen table. He knew I'd been wanting to get back in the habit of afternoon walks with the girls and he was ready with Morgan so that we could go with Bunny for our usual jaunt around town. <br />
<br />
Things were going really well. It was a wonderful Valentine's Day, both on Saturday and Monday afternoon. We got back from our walk and put a pizza in the oven to enjoy while we watched TV. I sat down on the couch with visions of finally getting a foot rub. It's funny how often I used to get those before we got married, but I digress.<br />
<br />
As I sat in the living room, I thought I heard something. I cocked my head to listen, and noticed that Morgan had the same expression in canine form that I must have had. We have a wonderful front porch that was actually one of the reasons we decided to buy our house, but in the winter, it doesn't see much use. It appears that one of the local feral cats has taken up residence there under the porch furniture. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnrIY6mcuWk/TVtGYh2gqSI/AAAAAAAADow/wKcJpg4_4oY/s1600/Snowmageddon+2011+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnrIY6mcuWk/TVtGYh2gqSI/AAAAAAAADow/wKcJpg4_4oY/s400/Snowmageddon+2011+093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I'm not heartless. I don't mind the cat staying there until it warms up. This is not the first time this has happened. Our county has a huge population of feral cats, and I think my neighbors have contributed to the problem a few times when cats have <strike>escaped</strike> left their house. They don't stay long, usually just through bouts of bad weather, so there's no harm.<br />
<br />
It would be our luck that the cat in residence went into heat on Valentine's Day. I wish I could say that I am joking, but I couldn't make up something so upsurd. The sound that started coming from our front porch just as the pizza was done would have woken the dead. Our trusty Shepherd ran to the front window -- and didn't make a peep. She stared out the window and made a few whimpers as her ears twitched in curiosity and anticipation. I opened the door and five cats scattered to the wind. Morgan watched them go and lost interest after I closed the door. <br />
<br />
As the evening went on, the feline love song continued on. No sooner would we sit back down then Morgan was back at the front door sniffing the crack, which seemed to be the precursor to feline romance. Things settled into a regular routine. We sat down on the couch, Morgan got up to check the door, went to the window, the hell cats began to wail, we got up, opened the door, the cats ran off, we closed the door, and got Morgan settled. Then we got to start all over. Those cats were determined to get to know each other and there was no convincing them that a more private venue would foot the bill. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYc1O5EoEC0/TV3vrLRhzHI/AAAAAAAADo4/cbWiFvDHgwQ/s1600/Morgan+Window%252C+Bunny%2527s+Paw+It+Forward+Mail+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYc1O5EoEC0/TV3vrLRhzHI/AAAAAAAADo4/cbWiFvDHgwQ/s400/Morgan+Window%252C+Bunny%2527s+Paw+It+Forward+Mail+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Apparently, cat romance is the gift that keeps on giving, too. Any thoughts about romance had flown out the window by the time we headed into bed. We were just happy for blessed silence. So far, the cats are still playing the dating game out front, too. I can only hope that the warm weather convinces them to find a more private and secure place to set up the nursery.<br />
<br />
So, how did you spend your Valentine's Day? I hope that whatever plans you have for Friday night turn out to be free of cat romance!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/?action=view&current=BlueberryTypes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Blueberry Types for the Blog" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/BlueberryTypes.jpg" /></a> <br />
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</script> </div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-67613942589865873952011-02-17T00:00:00.002-06:002011-02-17T00:00:12.130-06:00The State Of The Blueberry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bD3LYYdSd0g/TViioJ2BhwI/AAAAAAAADoE/8OlCo45GliM/s1600/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bD3LYYdSd0g/TViioJ2BhwI/AAAAAAAADoE/8OlCo45GliM/s200/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+001a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I have to admit, Blueberry has taken us on quite a wild ride the past few months. She had a cancerous lump removed from her head in November and we have been at a crossroads as to what to do after the surgery. It seemed that everywhere we turned, there was another option for her treatment. We had trouble getting the vets together to discuss her treatment and we wanted to do a lot of research on the options presented to us. Adding to the complications was the fact that she broke her toe in early January. Leave it to Blueberry to go to so much trouble to get our attention.<br />
<br />
I e-mailed Dr. Cuoto at Ohio State University because he is known as the expert on how to treat Greyhounds and he sees many hounds with cancer. He recommended <a href="http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/Medicine/Just-Ask-the-Expert-Intralesional-chemotherapy/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/602159">intralesional chemotherapy</a>, which is basically where they inject chemo into a tumor. It can be rather rough on the patient, however and no one in our vet's office felt comfortable performing the procedure. Plus, she had the tumor removed and we aren't sure if there's any of it left in her head or not. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KOEbMGM6U9M/TVii-b4AJ0I/AAAAAAAADoQ/MXQAqYb64Fc/s1600/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+037a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KOEbMGM6U9M/TVii-b4AJ0I/AAAAAAAADoQ/MXQAqYb64Fc/s640/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+037a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our vet called the University of Illinois and asked what their suggestion would be. The oncologist there recommended nineteen radiation treatments, one a day, and Blueberry would have to stay there for about a month. I have a lot of reasons that I won't post here about why I won't leave any of my dogs there, but that's a long tangent to another place. The truth is, I just can't see putting her through that. A month away from home and that much radiation in her body can't be good for her and she wouldn't handle it well at all. It is also unbelievably expensive. <br />
<br />
We spoke to five people who had also experienced the same kind of cancer in their dogs. Four were Greyhound owners and the other was Miss Sunshade the Superdale's mom. Three of the Greyhounds had the lump removed and lived for several years before dying of separate old age related problems that had nothing to do with the cancer. Another had the surgery a year ago and has had no recurrance since then. The research that I have read about the disease says that it is slow growing and rarely moves to another part of the body. If it recurs, it happens again in the same spot.<br />
<br />
So, we have come to a decision after a lengthy talk with our vet. We're not going to do anything else right now. The vet doesn't feel comfortable doing another surgery right now because there's not much between Blue's skin and her skull and the more they cut it open, the less they have left to sew back closed. We're going to watch the spot on her head and if a lump reappears, then there will be surgery and possible cause for more aggressive treatment. For now, we're going to concentrate on healing her toe so she can get out there and enjoy life after cancer. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMqe2JnWdhw/TViivoHpuQI/AAAAAAAADoI/oJ5YGgW6rgs/s1600/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+003a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMqe2JnWdhw/TViivoHpuQI/AAAAAAAADoI/oJ5YGgW6rgs/s640/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+003a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We have used the money that was raised for her to pay for her first surgery and we did have to use some of it for her toe, too. The broken toe has turned out to be more expensive than the original surgery. Our plan is to put money aside and hold onto it in case she does need more surgery in the future. I can't begin to tell all of you what a relief it was to not have to worry about what we would do about the money to take care of her. To everyone who donated money and bid in the auction, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Knowing that we will have our girl here with us for hopefully as long as we've had her mother is the best gift that we could ever have asked for. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I know this post isn't particularly humorous, but I know that many people have wondered what is happening with Blue and I wanted to explain it and let people know where we were. It has been a long few months for us full of sleepless nights, worry, research, frustration and finally enlightenment. I think the possibility of it coming back will always be in the back of my mind, but it isn't the looming spectre that it was before. I feel at peace with our decision and I honestly believe that we've come up with the best plan for Blueberry. It's good to go back to worrying about trivial things like how to best capture her good side and not whether I'm making a life or death decision. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw6dlN6qyMg/TVii4egTlKI/AAAAAAAADoM/qJUCQ0fuJX4/s1600/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+032a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw6dlN6qyMg/TVii4egTlKI/AAAAAAAADoM/qJUCQ0fuJX4/s640/Blueberry+at+Jubilee+in+her+Pink+Splint+032a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/?action=view&current=BlueberryTypes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Blueberry Types for the Blog" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/BlueberryTypes.jpg" /></a> <br />
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</script> </div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-7261527797906972162011-02-16T00:00:00.001-06:002011-02-16T00:00:03.897-06:00Wordless Wednesday 2/16 -- Love Is The Only Thing That Matters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yj6SgVtpgj4/TViSrB6Y6QI/AAAAAAAADn0/tBu04pj6otc/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+102a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yj6SgVtpgj4/TViSrB6Y6QI/AAAAAAAADn0/tBu04pj6otc/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+102a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</script> </div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-36387581157988440312011-02-15T00:00:00.012-06:002011-02-15T00:00:03.479-06:00Signs Of A Thaw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ch4uOsCELHI/TViNsK24Z_I/AAAAAAAADnI/lPMDMZrjvu4/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+035a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ch4uOsCELHI/TViNsK24Z_I/AAAAAAAADnI/lPMDMZrjvu4/s200/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+035a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Bunny here at the keyboard to share a little about our weekend with you.<br />
<br />
Since Mom is still fighting her bronchitis we decided to take it easier on her. That doesn't mean we were willing to give up our family hiking time, though. We decided to go to one of our favorite local places which is the Riverfront Trail in downtown Peoria. It's a beautiful place for walking, although it's a pretty quiet place right now. When the snow melts and things start blooming, I imagine it will be much busier.<br />
<br />
During our walk, we spotted a lot more wildlife than we've seen in a long time. The ducks and Canadian geese have returned and there was a beaver in the river working on his lodge. We saw a robin, too, but Mom wasn't quick enough to catch his picture. The beaver was a lot more cooperative.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ltpcDRMXaw/TViN5eKYWZI/AAAAAAAADnM/13SbI2LMtuQ/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+042a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ltpcDRMXaw/TViN5eKYWZI/AAAAAAAADnM/13SbI2LMtuQ/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+042a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The plan is that the trail will eventually connect to some Rails to Trails in our area, but the train tracks that are down there are still working tracks. There is an old train turntable there, too. When more of the snow melts, Mom said we'd go down and take more pictures of it so you can see it better. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7nA5Ad7pB0/TViOEh6zonI/AAAAAAAADnQ/_PugPeUx4lc/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+052a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7nA5Ad7pB0/TViOEh6zonI/AAAAAAAADnQ/_PugPeUx4lc/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+052a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of the things that the park has as a feature is the memorial rock gardens. There is one for Alzheimer's victims and another one for Dan Fogelberg. Dan Fogelberg is one of the famous people to have come from Peoria, so they have rocks around the park with some of the lyrics from some of his famous songs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qA5_VWIXaQA/TViPhc_jH7I/AAAAAAAADnw/aZ_bY29PNao/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+105a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qA5_VWIXaQA/TViPhc_jH7I/AAAAAAAADnw/aZ_bY29PNao/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+105a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Hawks are pretty popular in our area. Usually we see them when we can't get a picture of them. However, this guy seemed to be bringing the warm Spring air in with him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5X4mCO31Ls/TViOYMY0q4I/AAAAAAAADnY/K6_sTQCfdE0/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+069a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5X4mCO31Ls/TViOYMY0q4I/AAAAAAAADnY/K6_sTQCfdE0/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+069a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Morgan can't resist leaping and walking in the snow drifts. I'm not sure what she's going to do when all the snow melts away. She'd better enjoy it while she can!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwohFPFjkpc/TViOq9U-ztI/AAAAAAAADng/7fgETCKrS48/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+146a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwohFPFjkpc/TViOq9U-ztI/AAAAAAAADng/7fgETCKrS48/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+146a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There's a restaurant built in an old train station along the riverfront, too. Of course they didn't let us dogs in, though. Mom said that they have really good food. I wouldn't know since they've never brought any of it home for us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUzfhoa8oDE/TViO6LV71II/AAAAAAAADnk/JdMToTvIVIA/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+160a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUzfhoa8oDE/TViO6LV71II/AAAAAAAADnk/JdMToTvIVIA/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+160a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I have to say, it was a fun way to get out and stretch our legs without overtaxing Mom's lungs. You should have heard her going on last weekend. I'll just say that some people should not be making comments about Greyhounds being drama queens. This was much better and we all had fun enjoying the thaw and the first hints of Spring's approach. We got in more minutes for our Idita Walk, too. I'm finally starting to get excited about Spring after this very long Winter. How about all of you?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7uqq_BtP1Y/TViONW1Ly2I/AAAAAAAADnU/aFg6SbvDVTs/s1600/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+092a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7uqq_BtP1Y/TViONW1Ly2I/AAAAAAAADnU/aFg6SbvDVTs/s640/Riverfront+Walk%252C+Bunny+in+Pink+Dress+Coat+092a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/?action=view&current=BlueberryTypes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Blueberry Types for the Blog" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/BlueberryTypes.jpg" /></a> <br />
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I lived at my dad's house at that time, but I asked him to meet me at my mom's house because it was in town and closer to where all the restaurants and theatres were. My mom had a little Shetland Sheepdog named Sable. Sable was rather unsociable. In fact, I don't think there was anyone that she liked outside of our immediate family. When people came over to visit, she either hid behind my mom and growled and barked, or sat in my lap and growled under her breath. No matter how friendly or unassuming a person was, Sable would have nothing to do with them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgS92Diz1zU/TVdc7HGH7xI/AAAAAAAADm0/hfn_UOuI9wA/s1600/Valentines+001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgS92Diz1zU/TVdc7HGH7xI/AAAAAAAADm0/hfn_UOuI9wA/s400/Valentines+001a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The night of our date arrived. Valentine's Day was on a Saturday and it was being celebrated by a lot of people. We had plans to go to a favorite restaurant and my date showed up a little early. He chatted with my mom and to everyone's great surprise, Sable was standing beside the chair where he sat, letting him scratch her back. He sat comfortably talking with my mom and before too long, Sable had forced her way into his lap, curled up against his chest and was gazing into his eyes adoringly. We left for our date an hour late, but Sable and my mom were completely charmed by him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEwoUjWyTUw/TVddwfIXkxI/AAAAAAAADnA/AF3DMOGbGOM/s1600/Valentines+075a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEwoUjWyTUw/TVddwfIXkxI/AAAAAAAADnA/AF3DMOGbGOM/s400/Valentines+075a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
That first Valentine's Day date was a great one and it turned into many more. We'd been going out almost every weekend for a couple of months before he took me down to meet his family. I had no idea we were going to go see them that weekend until we were in the car on our way down there. I'm not sure which of us was more nervous. <br />
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I learned later that I passed "The M and M Test" with flying colors. The first M was my boyfriend's little brother, who was five years old at the time. My date and M were very close and M had even been taught by his older brother to ask girls in the toy store for their phone numbers. It turns out that having a cute little brother can be a big help to a college guy. The second M was Mimi, a little schnauzer mix who adored my boyfriend with a devotion that is hard to imagine. It seems that in order for anyone to date any of the three older members of the family, they had to get along with both of the two Ms. The whole first year we were dating, I don't think I ever sat on the couch beside my boyfriend. I sat between the two Ms.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKWfH52Qcfg/TVddY8q6MvI/AAAAAAAADm8/CAVqUW9yAW0/s1600/Valentines+037a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKWfH52Qcfg/TVddY8q6MvI/AAAAAAAADm8/CAVqUW9yAW0/s400/Valentines+037a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After college, my boyfriend asked me to marry him, and one day in June, he became Mr. Taleteller. I look back and find it funny that we both had a good idea about each other from our dogs. I can't imagine being married to someone who didn't want to share our lives with dogs. I also consider myself lucky that I married such a great guy. I don't know if dogs always judge people the best way, but so far, mine have always been right. I'm sure glad I passed that test! Several Greyhounds and a German Shepherd have been lucky that we met and fell in love, too. <br />
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How do all of you feel about dogs and the people you date, befriend or marry? Does your dog's opinion of people influence your decisions? Have you ever been sorry that you did or didn't listen to your dog?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOr7LZHqSeM/TVddI55_3iI/AAAAAAAADm4/-QZuL1He-68/s1600/Valentines+008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOr7LZHqSeM/TVddI55_3iI/AAAAAAAADm4/-QZuL1He-68/s400/Valentines+008a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I decided to move the blog for several reasons. One is Chinese porn spam that we repeatedly report and seems never to be addressed by Blogger. That's not to say that I don't think that we will have to deal with that sort of thing on the new site, but I have to approve new posters' first posts, so that stuff isn't seen by everyone else on the blog. Another is that we've started getting offers for advertising and other things, and while I don't really intend to do much of that, I think having a slightly more professional site will help with that. I don't kid myself that I'm going to make money off this blog, though. That's not the highest priority for me with the blog by any means. We'd also like to make it easier for people and dogs who actually read the blog leave comments. Finally, I just felt that it was time for us to take the step and grow the blog some.<br />
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Following the blog is easy. If you use Google Reader, you copy the web address and post it into your Google Reader. If you read blogs through the dashboard on Blogger, you just copy the web address, look at the bottom of the box and click on the "add" button. You can paste the website address in the pop up box and still follow the blog through your blogger dashboard. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQozC4uT8qg/TVdqysjWrBI/AAAAAAAADnE/yAzhpSgsepg/s1600/Blogger+Add.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PQozC4uT8qg/TVdqysjWrBI/AAAAAAAADnE/yAzhpSgsepg/s640/Blogger+Add.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Leaving comments on the blog is easy. The first time you comment, it will ask you for your user name and e-mail address. It also asks for your website address, but entering that is optional. You'll be asked if you'd like to add a <a href="http://en.gravatar.com/">Gravatar</a>. This is simply an avatar that follows you to other Gravatar-enabled websites and is linked to your e-mail address. If you already have one with Wordpress, it should show up on the blog. If you don't have one, our new blog will use a screenshot of your blog, provided you have entered your website address. You don't need to have one to post on the blog by any means. It's a simple process, however, if you're interested in adding one. <br />
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If you have any other questions for us, please don't hesitate to ask. We want to make the transition go seamlessly and we very much still want to see our blog friends comment on the <a href="http://talesandtails.com/">new site</a>. Hopefully this has answered the questions that we've gotten from other so far.<br />
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I suppose you're wondering what it is that I decided to do. I decided to take Morgan for a walk by myself for the first time. Of course, I also took Bunny along, too. We had to get our Idita Walk minutes in before the bitter cold hit on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fortunately, Monday was just warm enough that the snow on the roads was a bit slushy and not slick as ice like it had been previously. <br />
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Morgan gets serious bouts of Cabin Fever when she doesn't get her regular walks. Mr. Taleteller has a bit of an aversion to the cold weather walks and I often settle for putting it off when he doesn't want to go. I could go out by myself and take Bunny, but that seems unfair to Morgan who really needs the exercise. I'm also guessing that my nieghbors appreciate not having to hear her howl the whole time Bunny and I would be away from the house. I know Morgan well enough to know that walking her is not like walking the hounds. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0k1kss-sv9E/TVNwcaEzx1I/AAAAAAAADmU/miknybTefQg/s1600/Snowmageddon+2011+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0k1kss-sv9E/TVNwcaEzx1I/AAAAAAAADmU/miknybTefQg/s640/Snowmageddon+2011+056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Still, I'm no stranger to walking two dogs. There was even a time when I regularly walked three Greyhounds at once. Bunny is used to walking with me and Blueberry, so I knew she could handle it, and it's not like she and Morgan don't know each other. What could go wrong? I told myself that we'd just walk the short route and get our thirty minutes in. That would kill the time it would take Mr. Taleteller to get home from his after work meeting. <br />
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As we started out, I was patting myself on the back. We were walking along and I even had both dogs' leashes in one hand. Morgan was surfing the snowbanks while Bunny was demonstrating her perfect walking techniuque for me. I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to try walking the girls together on my own. I didn't need Mr. Taleteller to wrangle any dog! I could do it all on my own.<br />
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When we got to the turning point between the short walk and the long walk, I started to think about doing the whole long route. However, that's when my bronchitis decided to rear its ugly head and remind me that I am not invincible after all. So, we made a turn and headed towards home, albeit reluctantly on all our parts. We passed the school and there was some event happening that had a lot of cars parked or driving along the road. I muttered a bit under my breath about people refusing to stop and let us by and we crossed the street to walk in the church parking lot, which was cleared much better anyway. <br />
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As we passed through the parking lot, Morgan could see people walking around across the street and she went into alert mode. I talked to her and she managed to make it past them all without showing her wolfy side. I was so proud of my girls as we crossed the street and got within a block of our house. At the corner, there was a house with a giant black lab tied out in front for his powder room break. Morgan was on full alert by this point, but still holding it together. I kept reminding her that I was there and thought we'd actually make it past when Bunny was overcome by the spirit of playfulness. She did a little play bow and I said her name with that warning tone that signals I'm serious and must be obeyed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vyDq9LLr81I/TVNwlmsRG1I/AAAAAAAADmY/OG61itxC2GE/s1600/Snowmageddon+2011+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vyDq9LLr81I/TVNwlmsRG1I/AAAAAAAADmY/OG61itxC2GE/s640/Snowmageddon+2011+060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Morgan's control snapped when Bunny started trying to get the lab to come and play. The next thing I knew Morgan was leaping over Bunny in a move that the makers of the Matrix movies would have been in awe over. Bunny ducked under her in perfect execution of her ninja play bow and I braced myself to go down hard as Morgan and the other dog both started to bark. However, they had managed to twist their leashes together and instead of pulling against me, they pulled on each other. I had to laugh as they both took a moment to pause. The woman came to the door and reeled the black beast inside and I convinced Morgan and Bunny that going home was a good idea. <br />
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I learned some things through this experience. First is that I can walk Morgan and Bunny at the same time. Second, there's a big dog that now lives along one of our usual walking routes. Third, the next time I take Morgan and Bunny out together it will be warmer and dry on the ground. Fourth, if I decide to walk Blueberry with Morgan and Bunny both then I need some sort of intervention.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4v7TWdQTha4/TUzUSPa2UgI/AAAAAAAADiw/RG6Yn7b7ED8/s1600/petbloggerhoppinkcopysmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4v7TWdQTha4/TUzUSPa2UgI/AAAAAAAADiw/RG6Yn7b7ED8/s1600/petbloggerhoppinkcopysmall.jpg" /></a></div>We’re participating in this Saturday’s Pet Blog Hop, hosting by <a href="http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/"><span style="color: #c94093;">Life With Dogs</span></a>, <a href="http://twolittlecavaliers.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #c94093;">Two Little Cavaliers</span></a> and <a href="http://blog.nipandbones.com/"><span style="color: #c94093;">Confessions of the Plume</span></a>. If you’d like to participate, please follow the rules and follow your three hosts, add your blog to the Linky and copy and paste the html code into your html editor. Thanks again to our hosts for putting on the hop!<br />
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</script></div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-28992097372288465972011-02-11T00:00:00.067-06:002011-02-11T05:57:19.706-06:00A Few QuirksOur post on Monday brought up some interesting questions from some readers. One question that we've been asked a lot is in regards to personality. Many people have heard rumors about a "blue personality" and wondered if it's true or not. Blue dogs have a reputation for being a bit off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ki8UpXiYA8o/TVNjCXA_uVI/AAAAAAAADmM/6v6_xOku6KI/s1600/collarparade008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ki8UpXiYA8o/TVNjCXA_uVI/AAAAAAAADmM/6v6_xOku6KI/s640/collarparade008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When we got Blueberry as a two-year-old hound, she was a handful. She'd lived with a woman who thought it was a great idea to teach her the trick of launching off the floor from a sit and taking food from her mouth. Ah, yes, and Blueberry has a skull harder than a titanium plate, I might add. Several black eyes and a few concussions later we decided that the habit had to end. I'll also simply say that I don't think the woman who taught her that trick was completely right and leave it at that. <br />
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A lot of Blueberry's behavior in those early years wasn't really her fault. She has a strong desire to please us, and if she can't she will often just give up and retreat to a dog crate to lay down with a sigh and her back turned to us. Greyhound puppies are often known as landsharks and some of them take longer to mature than others. I think Blueberry was definitely one of those late bloomers, but when she turned the corner, she became a magnificent dog. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcdsCbNfJK4/TVNiwbtfzYI/AAAAAAAADl8/hazkhH7AM7o/s1600/2663Blueberry_pics_015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcdsCbNfJK4/TVNiwbtfzYI/AAAAAAAADl8/hazkhH7AM7o/s640/2663Blueberry_pics_015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I have always considered her a bit quirky. Blueberry has a few unique traits. One that I've mentioned before is that she has two differently colored eyes. One is grey and one is brown. She also has a rather endearing bobble to her head when she gets really excited. She cannot resist stealing hamburger buns off plates when they're left unattended. Her dewclaws were surgically removed when she was young, but one grew back and if we let it grow it curls outward away from her leg. I don't know if that's the result of a failed surgery attempt or if her dewclaws grew like that before. I haven't found her personality to be particularly odd, however. I just think she's unique, our own little snowflake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUqZhYw7VpY/TVNixD2GeGI/AAAAAAAADmA/7-7DAfxnJuw/s1600/2663Blueberry_pics_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUqZhYw7VpY/TVNixD2GeGI/AAAAAAAADmA/7-7DAfxnJuw/s640/2663Blueberry_pics_016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Other Greyhound owners who have had blue dogs have sworn that they had dogs who had blue personalities. I have to wonder if it's not a vicious cycle, though. If people are expecting to see strange behavior in a dog, then perhaps any quirk will contribute to that theory. Would the same behavior even be noted as a trait of a dog of another color? Are really odd dogs only born blue? I tend to doubt that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3pG7fZAfhQ/TVNi1FGRDcI/AAAAAAAADmE/4y5pBfbgn94/s1600/pics+of+the+blue+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3pG7fZAfhQ/TVNi1FGRDcI/AAAAAAAADmE/4y5pBfbgn94/s640/pics+of+the+blue+008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>What I do know is that Blueberry has been a wonderful addition to our family and we have always been happy that she came to live with us. She hasn't been any more difficult to get along with than any of our other hounds. Blueberry has always simply been herself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwQjs2iogH4/TVNi6pGz7hI/AAAAAAAADmI/kpN0Rk8ie28/s1600/collar+parade+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwQjs2iogH4/TVNi6pGz7hI/AAAAAAAADmI/kpN0Rk8ie28/s640/collar+parade+026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't forget to follow us on our new <a href="http://talesandtails.com/">Tales and Tails</a> site soon!</div><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/?action=view&current=BlueberryTypes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Blueberry Types for the Blog" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/BlueberryTypes.jpg" /></a> <br />
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</script> </div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-88749783564160677792011-02-10T00:00:00.004-06:002011-02-10T00:00:01.939-06:00Treat Tales -- Meeting The Rabbit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9MmqdfhgI/AAAAAAAADlU/o3L5QG4Jb-o/s1600/bunnt+%2526+corn+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9MmqdfhgI/AAAAAAAADlU/o3L5QG4Jb-o/s200/bunnt+%2526+corn+014.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>It's been a while since I wrote a Treat Tale, but a friend had asked me to back in October on our trip, and others mentioned it when they read about Treat on Saturday, so I thought it was time to get back into the swing of telling those stories. We'd like to dedicate this story to our friend Max, who recently crossed to the Rainbow Bridge after a brief battle with Osteosarcoma. He was one handsome Greyhound and he will be missed. We decided to write this particular story after several people asked about people saw the picture on Saturday of Treat with the rabbit. <br />
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The rabbit's name was Diamond. She was the classroom rabbit in my class at school. Normally, she would stay at school during the week and then go home with my teaching partner on the weekends. However, there came a long five day weekend when we were off school because of a big conference that many of the teachers attended. My teaching partner was going to the conference, so we planned for Diamond to come home with me over the long weekend.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9MxkZFy1I/AAAAAAAADlg/ej8i_6AbR8w/s1600/bunnt+%2526+corn+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9MxkZFy1I/AAAAAAAADlg/ej8i_6AbR8w/s400/bunnt+%2526+corn+019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I had big dreams. There's a calendar that comes out every year called the Celebrating Greyhounds Calendar. It's put out by the same organization that puts out the Celebrating Greyhounds magazine. Every year people from all over send in their best pictures of their Greyhounds in hopes of getting a picture in the calendar. I just knew that if I could get a picture of Treat with the rabbit that it would be calendar gold. I mean, really, who could resist a Greyhound curled up with a fuzzy bunny? It was practically a guarantee in my mind.<br />
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The day arrived when it was time to bring Diamond home. She rode in a cat carrier and spent most of her time in a small cage. I carried the cage inside first and Treat and Hawk along with our two cats were <strong><em>fascinated</em></strong> by it. After I got the cage set up in the corner of the living room, I set up her hay, pellets and water, then I went outside to fetch the rabbit. I was greeted at the back door by Treat and Hawk whose noses had gone into complete overdrive. Hawk's eyes telescoped out like a cartoon character, his nose twitched, his ears flattened to the back of his head and he turned and beat feet into the living room as far as he could get from the little beast. Treat turned from her sniff fest to see him leaving and followed him to curl up primly on the couch. They both looked at me with the same look of horror that seemed to say "I can't believe you brought a wild animal into our house! What were you thinking?" The cats surrounded the cage and were drooling as they seemed to be preparing for the buffet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was not deterred from my goal, however. After things got settled, I closed the cats in the bedroom and lifted Diamond out of her cage, carefully carrying her to the couch to sit her down beside Treat. Treat launched off the couch as if her tail was on fire. She had no intention of posing with a wild animal. There was probably some fine print in her adoption contract that prohibited getting wild animals within a certain vicinty of her royal self, but I must have missed it amongst all the other requirements of life with a Greyhound princess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9Mu3dDMhI/AAAAAAAADlc/HnYciMfkcPw/s1600/bunnt+%2526+corn+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9Mu3dDMhI/AAAAAAAADlc/HnYciMfkcPw/s640/bunnt+%2526+corn+015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>A few days later, I decided to try again. After a long walk, I got Treat settled on the couch and Mr. Taleteller was standing nearby with the camera ready. We cajoled and encouraged her, and finally got the picture of Treat sitting on the couch with the rabbit moments before she took off to hide in the bedroom. I have to admit, I've always loved that picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9M2Z6gFDI/AAAAAAAADlk/VCKokNw670o/s1600/bunnt+%2526+corn+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9M2Z6gFDI/AAAAAAAADlk/VCKokNw670o/s640/bunnt+%2526+corn+016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We did submit it to the calendar, but it was never chosen. As a matter of fact, the next year a picture I'd taken of Hawk was selected, one that had nothing to do with the princess. I'm sure she's sitting on a cloud somewhere with that rabbit still, laughing about me and my folly. I guess some things seem a lot better in your mind than they do in application. I still look back on that picture and smile as I remember all that went into capturing it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9Oqu2xOWI/AAAAAAAADlo/RFxIkXuoeII/s1600/pics+from+bakers+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU9Oqu2xOWI/AAAAAAAADlo/RFxIkXuoeII/s640/pics+from+bakers+017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd also like to add that this is our five hundredth post. It's been a lot of fun keeping the blog going so far. To celebrate, we're asking you to join us on our new blog. We are still working out a few kinks, but by the beginning of the month, we hope to be exclusively posting on our new blog site. It's a little scary to make the move, but we've been encouraged by some good friends to do it, and we feel like it's a good thing for us. We're mostly hoping that you all will still follow us and will join us on the new site. So, without further ado, we present <a href="http://talesandtails.com/">Tales and Tails</a>. If you'd like to bookmark it, it's <a href="http://talesandtails.com/">http://talesandtails.com/</a>.</div><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/?action=view&current=BlueberryTypes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Blueberry Types for the Blog" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/BlueberryTypes.jpg" /></a> <br />
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</script> </div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-8250579952216879522011-02-09T00:00:00.012-06:002011-02-09T00:00:06.968-06:00Wordless Wednesday 2/9 -- Down By The Mill Pond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU4uLZaDhEI/AAAAAAAADj0/4whaSaLlJck/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+169a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU4uLZaDhEI/AAAAAAAADj0/4whaSaLlJck/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+169a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU4uTf_mIEI/AAAAAAAADj4/vmB0dOZ1IGI/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+165a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU4uTf_mIEI/AAAAAAAADj4/vmB0dOZ1IGI/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+165a.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU4uaJy5QCI/AAAAAAAADj8/yrQZqpMibjY/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+128a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU4uaJy5QCI/AAAAAAAADj8/yrQZqpMibjY/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+128a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a class="addthis_button" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=houndstooth"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=houndstooth" type="text/javascript">
</script> </div></div>houndstoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02159272473651561647noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581194809685521989.post-30967530243616513862011-02-08T00:00:00.026-06:002011-02-08T18:07:09.981-06:00A Hiking We Did Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81O6hqbiI/AAAAAAAADkw/pqHXYGd4ytA/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+086a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81O6hqbiI/AAAAAAAADkw/pqHXYGd4ytA/s200/Wildcat+Run+Hike+086a.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Bunny here at the keyboard to share my hike from Saturday with you. <br />
<br />
Dad thought it would be fun to go to a place that we hadn't been before for our hike, so we headed off to <a href="http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/wildcat_den.html">Wildcat Run State Park</a> which is in Muscatine, Iowa. He'd read that it has wonderful Winter hiking so we decided to give it a try. It was nice to get out for a while after we were blitzed by that blizzard last week. <br />
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Before we even got there, we had our wildlife sighting. Morgan and I offered to catch one for dinner, but Mom and Dad said no. I guess it would have been a little big to carry back with us, but it would have been tasty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU83cgWPZoI/AAAAAAAADlE/3kwCB-jqfc8/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU83cgWPZoI/AAAAAAAADlE/3kwCB-jqfc8/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>One of the things the park is known for is the old schoolhouse and the Pine Creek Grist Mill, which has been restored by people in the community. Part of the park exists on land donated by Emma and Clara Brandt, who were sisters who lived there for a time. We thought the mill was particularly pretty. The schoolhouse and the mill were both closed while we were there, so we didn't get to see what they look like inside.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU84ciihHBI/AAAAAAAADlQ/OI10RMYZPMg/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+007a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU84ciihHBI/AAAAAAAADlQ/OI10RMYZPMg/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+007a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU807OatwMI/AAAAAAAADkk/9mEdfE_NQeU/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+006a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU807OatwMI/AAAAAAAADkk/9mEdfE_NQeU/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+006a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It's also known for its high cliffs, dens and rock formations. One of them is called The Stage Coach, while another is The Devil's Punchbowl. We didn't get to taste any punch while we were there, though. Some of the cliffs could make you feel pretty small. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81YlAJuhI/AAAAAAAADk0/tveqlJU122w/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+094a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81YlAJuhI/AAAAAAAADk0/tveqlJU122w/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+094a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81qImy-kI/AAAAAAAADk8/uliGdpmskAE/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+122a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81qImy-kI/AAAAAAAADk8/uliGdpmskAE/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+122a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>We had to hike through some pretty deep snow in parts of the trail. Actually, I wasn't sure that I wouldn't have to drag Mom part of the way back, but she kept going. It was really pretty out in the woods, although the only wildlife we saw was a Cardinal. He was pretty, but he didn't get close enough for a good picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81BrrkHiI/AAAAAAAADko/RcvEX6YJmEM/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+025a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81BrrkHiI/AAAAAAAADko/RcvEX6YJmEM/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+025a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81I-TQDuI/AAAAAAAADks/6XvTKyuYi6g/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+029a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU81I-TQDuI/AAAAAAAADks/6XvTKyuYi6g/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+029a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>I decided to try out a technique that I've admired <a href="http://www.thethunderingherd.com/news/">Rusty of The Thundering Herd</a> do many times, too. He has it perfected and I'm still learning. Mom was laughing too hard to get a picture of it when I was doing it the best, but I assure you, I shall try it again. Dad was not quite as amused as Mom was.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU83k4LdgGI/AAAAAAAADlI/AIdkLy8tUJE/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+061a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU83k4LdgGI/AAAAAAAADlI/AIdkLy8tUJE/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+061a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I was glad to get some good time to record for my Idita Walk sheet, since the hike took us two hours. It was a refreshing break from the winter doldrums. What did all of you do this weekend?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU83tf9JaRI/AAAAAAAADlM/YMo7TWzTNj4/s1600/Wildcat+Run+Hike+146a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU83tf9JaRI/AAAAAAAADlM/YMo7TWzTNj4/s640/Wildcat+Run+Hike+146a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8lkfERGkI/AAAAAAAADkQ/UtkcLbIAT2c/s1600/2663Blueberry_pics_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8lkfERGkI/AAAAAAAADkQ/UtkcLbIAT2c/s640/2663Blueberry_pics_016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For those who aren't familiar with Greyhound colors, blue is the term used for a grey Greyhound. It is one of the rarer colors for the breed. Blueberry is actually a blue brindle. She has mostly blue fur with some blue fawn stripes on her, but her brindling is very light and doesn't show much. Bunny is also a derivative of blue -- she's a blue fawn. Blue fawn dogs are a light fawn color, but instead of black tips on their hair and black masks or noses like a regular fawn or red fawn, they have blue highlights, masks and sometimes grey noses. Blue fawns often have lighter brown eyes and can appear pinkish outside in the sun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8ioH4lA8I/AAAAAAAADkA/J1v_ufsCNok/s1600/IMG_0118%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8ioH4lA8I/AAAAAAAADkA/J1v_ufsCNok/s640/IMG_0118%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>When this came up in the conversation, the woman asked if that also was rare. It is. The blue gene is recessive, so it tends to be seen less often. It also tends to make a lot of Greyhound people a little obsessed. There are many Greyhound adopters that I've seen post on message boards who are just determined to have a blue dog. Some of them will even see a blue dog at the track and go to great lengths to secure it when its racing career is over. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8ls_dOBLI/AAAAAAAADkU/3deL6u6FVeU/s1600/color_chart-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8ls_dOBLI/AAAAAAAADkU/3deL6u6FVeU/s640/color_chart-large.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>Rumor has it that many blue dogs used to be culled. Trainers believed that they were unlucky and bad racers. This was a long time ago, and I haven't heard of that happening any more. I don't know if it has anything to do with how rarely they happen now. I also don't know if it happened with the dogs who were blue derivatives. By blue derivatives, I mean blue fawns, blue brindles and white dogs with blue patches. <br />
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There are also people who believe that blue dogs are a little off. Some believe they're more prone to disease and genetic problems. Blues are often referred to as quirky. I haven't found that to be the case. Blueberry was a handful when she was young, but some of that wasn't her fault. She'd been taught some very bad habits by the woman who'd had her before she came here. Now she's known as Miss Almost Perfect here at our house and I don't think her behavior is any different than that of any of the other Greyhounds we've had or met. The fact that she ran down an intact male named Try at the adoption kennel who got fresh with her isn't something we hold against her or attribute to her blueness.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8lilGS7EI/AAAAAAAADkM/Lv4o3xlB9cY/s1600/Thanksgiving+%2526+Blueberry%2527s+Necklace+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8lilGS7EI/AAAAAAAADkM/Lv4o3xlB9cY/s640/Thanksgiving+%2526+Blueberry%2527s+Necklace+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I haven't ever really understood the status that comes with the blue coloring and Greyhounds. Yes, they are pretty, but looks aren't everything. I've always said that the most beautiful Greyhound is the one on your own couch. I think after you've had your own dog for a little bit, you always compare others to yours. The blue mystique also fascinates me because it isn't the rarest color that you can find in a Greyhound. The most unusual color that I've ever seen is liver. I'm guessing that it's an extreme red dilute. I've only heard of about a dozen dogs who are this color. Of those, I have heard of a few with some odd diseases, so I'm guessing that the gene is recessive enough that it is pretty closely linked with some genetic oddities. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8iyRFqqUI/AAAAAAAADkE/MhXewzFRfiY/s1600/Liver+Colored+Greyhounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8iyRFqqUI/AAAAAAAADkE/MhXewzFRfiY/s640/Liver+Colored+Greyhounds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I didn't choose Blueberry or Bunny based on their coloring. I don't think choosing by looks is a good way to find a good match in a dog. Maybe it speaks to my quirkiness that I've been drawn to two dogs with strong blue genetics. The only part of Blueberry's color that played a factor in our decision to keep her here was that she was a young dog who needed a very strong hand and someone with a lot of Greyhound savvy to keep her in check, and we did worry that someone would choose her based on her looks only without being able to work out her issues. I can't say that we've ever been sorry that we decided to keep her here. When we went to the adoption kennel to choose a new dog after Treat died, I really just didn't want to get another brindle, because I didn't want to keep comparing that dog to Treat. If Bunny had been brindle, though, it wouldn't have mattered. She came in, leaned against me, and I was hopelessly smitten.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I suspect that all breeds have their color or other breed status symbols. I just might not be aware of what they are. Are there status symbols in the breed that you own, or would like to own? Are there certain colors or traits that you'd add to your dream dog, if you could mix up your perfect dog? I freely admit that I have preferences and things I'd like to have if I could just order up my perfect dog. Nature doesn't work that way, but I am guessing we all speculate on it to some degree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8nIpC30kI/AAAAAAAADkc/PqpdbG1yWOI/s1600/Christmas+Tree+and+Decorations%252C+2009+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8ysIct54SXU/TU8nIpC30kI/AAAAAAAADkc/PqpdbG1yWOI/s640/Christmas+Tree+and+Decorations%252C+2009+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/?action=view&current=BlueberryTypes.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Blueberry Types for the Blog" border="0" src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/houndstooth4/BlueberryTypes.jpg" /></a> <br />
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