Going Through The Paces

A couple of years ago, Mr. Taleteller and Blueberry went through beginning obedience class -- twice.  They failed graduation night both times because of errors on my husband's part.  Still, Blueberry really enjoys the "game" of obedience.  They don't practice all the time, but on occasion they go through the paces to keep her refreshed.

It gets even more entertaining when Bunny decides that she has to join in.  She loves obedience, loves treats and loves attention.  She just can't help herself!  She has to join in. 

The other night, Mr. Taleteller got out some treats that Blueberry finds irresistible for some reason.  It was a good break from the winter doldroms for my husband and for the girls.  It was also a good giggle for me.  Blueberry always starts out serious and then gets sillier and sillier.  Even my husband can't stay serious with her once she gets going.



Don't let anybody tell you that greyhounds can't do obedience!  Just know that they'll do it when they want, how they want, and in their own sweet time!

Wordless Wednesday 2/10 -- It's 6:00 AM, Do You Know Where Your Hounds Are?

A Big Thank You

Bunny here, typing a few thank yous for some nice things that came in the mail.

First, thank you to the Kissa Bulls for the valentine they sent us!  It was addressed to all three of us, but I did the opening since Blueberry and Lilac were busy with their after dinner naps.  They're all quite photogenic, I think, and that Guero is very swoon worthy!  There were even little sparkly confetti hearts in the envelope.  It's my first valentine and Mom promised to put it on the refrigerator for me.

Second, a very big thank you to Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie for sending me a prize for winning the Hound Group in Mango Minster.  Opening that box was like lifting the lid on a treasure chest!  There was so much stuff in there, I didn't know where to start.

Of course, as soon as I started getting goodies out, Lilac and Blueberry had to get in on the action.  That's okay, there's too much in there for me to play with all at one time -- or is there?  

Rest assured, I shared with them!

I think my favorite toy from the box is the wool bone.  I played with it all night, until Mom got the rawhides out.  Then I took a break from playing and got to work.  I will be working on all of the things from the box for a long time! 

Thank you again to all who participated in Mango Minster!  It was a lot of fun, I found lots of run new blogs to read and I learned a lot.  I can't wait to see what happens with it next year!

A Perfectly Good Saturday Morning Goes South

The dogs were all happy on Saturday morning as our relaxed pace instantly signalled that we would be home with them and that it would be a no work day.  Things started off nicely for all of us.  Lilac let us sleep in until 5:00 and then they all came back in and went back to bed, much to the delight of Bunny and Blueberry.  Even Lilac laid down and went back to sleep.

We got up slowly, taking our time, eating a slow, leisurely breakfast in our pajamas and curling up with the dogs in our various favorite places.  Each dog got a bit of bagel with cream cheese and the world was very good.

Then, the day took a turn, at least for Blueberry.  Mr. Taleteller emerged from the bathroom with the dreaded apparatus.  All the girls were napping and blissfully unaware of its presence. 

Bunny doesn't mind having her nails cut too much, and she was the first one to get her pedicure.  She didn't put up much of a fuss and so Blueberry slept on, content with her dream of chasing rabbits in a sunny meadow.  Lilac has a problem with her nails, so we usually pay the vet to cut hers and skip the saga of her nails at home.  That left Blueberry.

Blueberry and Mr. Taleteller have had an ongoing battle regarding her nail trims since we got her.  That would be a six year battle that has waged on.  I don't think he's ever even quicked her, but she hates having her feet touched with those clippers.  Today was no different.  Watching them face off is like watching a show down at the O K Corral.  Blue squints her flinty eye at him.  Mr. Taleteller's nose flattens and he grips the nail clippers.  A silence falls over the living room.  Lilac sleeps on, but Bunny ducks behind the dog bed.  I curl up in my corner on the couch.  Blueberry rolls over on the foot he's trying to grab.  Mr. Taleteller mutters to her to cooperate and tries to grab another foot.  At this point, Blueberry is on her back and reminds me of a turtle that's been flipped over.  She tries to roll to the side to get up, but Mr. Taleteller sits beside her and keeps his grip.  Blue sticks her nose to his hand.  One of them growls, but I'm not sure which one.  What I do know is that today, Mr. Taleteller emerged victorious and Blueberry got all her nails trimmed.  Some days she outsmarts him by running into a dog crate and curling up in the back until he gets tired of waiting her out.

To top it off, we went out to run some errands and the girls didn't get to go.  Blueberry retreated to the couch to sulk.  It's funny how some things can really ruin a girl's day!             

A Sweet Saturday Award

We were recently tagged by several of our friends to recieve this award.  We'd like to thank Dennis the Vizsla, Rainy and Twinkie for thinking of us!  The rules of the award say that you have to do three things.  You need to display the award on your blog.  You need to list ten things that you enjoy doing, and do at least one of them today.  Finally, you need to name ten other blogs that you want to share the award with.  Bunny feels that her answers will be more entertaining than mine, so I'll let her tell you what her ten favorite things to do are.

1. Go back to bed on Saturdays and get back under the covers with Mom.

2. Eat yogurt out of the cup.

3. Go to the dog park.

4. Go for walks.

5. Dream about catching rabbits.

6.  Snuggle on the couch with Mom.

7. Go to the dog bakery.

8. Run around naked.

9. Share Hint of Lime chips with whoever happens to be eating.

10. Go for rides in the car or van to anywhere.

And now, here are ten blogs that make us smile every time we read them.

1.  Letters to Gavin  -- Wall E lives with his grandma while waiting to be reunited with his boy Gavin.  We love Wall E's take on the world and are glad he shares his letters!

2.  Therapy Dog Josie -- Josie is new to blogging, and she's a dedicated therapy dog. 

3.  The Thundering Herd -- You never know what The Herd is going to be up to, but you always know it will be interesting and entertaining.

4. Wilf and Digby Discover France -- Wilf and Digby have lived in Ireland, Italy and are now enjoying the adventures of living in rural France.  The story of their dad being lured to the local art class is still giving me the giggles!

5.  Two Greyhound Town -- Jack and Scout put up with their mom sewing coats for them when they're not out camping or dreaming of camping.

6. Romping and Rolling in the Rockies -- Labradudes beware!  K is the most stunning labradudette that I have ever seen.  She and her mom have the most amazing adventures, just weeks after both going through surgery.

7. Dexter Doings -- Yes, we had to mention how much fun we've been having reading all of Dexter's adventures while his older brother Mango is running Mango Minster.  He's got a lot to say!

8. Multum In Parvo -- Salinger the pug is a hilarious guy who puts up with a lot from his family at times!  We're hoping he gets to be on stupid pet tricks on The Letterman Show!

9. Thoughts From A Yodeling Goatherder -- Things on the farm are never dull!  They're always darned funny to read about, too!

10. Life With Dogs -- I look for this one first every morning!  Nigel, Sola and Truffles make me laugh through their stories and photos every day.  I can't imagine that anybody hasn't read it yet, but they're missing out if they have!

We also just read the news about Max over on his blog.  We'd like his family to know that we're really thinking about them at this difficult time.  If you know Max in South Africa, please stop in and offer your words of encouragement.  I know how difficult what they're going through is from personal experience with my own heart dog, and I'm sure that hearing from others will help ease their hearts a bit.