I can't beleive Mom hasn't posted anything on my blog in a whole month. Now is she lazy or what? I had so much going on, you'd think she'd be filling pages and pages.
First, there was my long awaited visit to the library! Of course, Mom forgot the camera (sigh, she'll never learn, will she?). Aquila and I were rushed to the beauty parlor for a bath, then whisked to the library before we even had time to drool on ourselves. Mom took the advice of her friends and told the kids how to approach an unfamiliar dog, then she brought us in. The usual "Oooohs and Ahhhs" ensued as Mom talked about Newfoundland dogs, what we were bred for, our webbed feet, and then answered the usual questions (Do we eat a lot, do we shed, lol, do we always drool that much, etc.). She also explained what dog shows were about, why a reputable breeder is important for any breed, and about newf rescue. At the end, the kids and families came up to adore and pet us and give us cookies. Aquila got way too much attention, probably because Mom likes to put a bow in her hair.
The next big thing was MY BIRTHDAY! That is just my favorite day. I get blueberry kuchen, lots of presents, and the day is all about me, me, me. I love it!
Shortly after that Mom took Aquila and me to the nursing home for a visit. I hadn't been in a while, and this was 'Kee's first time. She did very well, she really loves be petted by everyone. Mom is going to take her back for another visit, but hasn't figured out how to bring us both, and you know she wouldn't want to leave ME home.
So that's what I've been up to, summed up in a nutshell. Maybe Mom will stop reading books and spend more time writing down my every move for your enjoyment. I'll keep pestering her, and reminding her that we are due for some new photos.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Himself
Just a reminder of how fine and handsome I am.
And another:
A close up:
Here, I will smile for the camera:
Who, me?
Thanks for visiting my blog to see my beautiful self.
And another:
A close up:
Here, I will smile for the camera:
Who, me?
Thanks for visiting my blog to see my beautiful self.
From Orion
I just wanted to let you how pleased I am that my humans brought me home my own dog. Although she has much to learn from me about being a totally cool, laid-back refined canine worthy of the Drulzelot title, she is coming along very nicely. What I particularly find useful is she makes a suitable 'taste tester", so I have employed her in that position. When Mom hands me a piece of cheese, I sniff it with my fine nose, and then I turn my head away. Mom then hands it to Aquila, and if she eats it, I know it is safe for me to ingest. Being royalty, you just can't trust anyone with your food. All royal canines should have their own taste-testers, in my humble opinion.
She's also a good toy-tester. If it's a good toy, she will play with it, which means it is good enough for me. Since she follows Mom everywhere, I don't have to, so I can leave my fine specimen of a self right where I am, usually in the primo spot on the kitchen floor where it is nice and cool. She has also decided to help me with my daily chore (I know, it is hard to understand the cruelty of these humans to make me do any kind of labor, but I do it to amuse them). It is my job to bring the newspaper down to the house.
Every morning the first activity of the day is for me to attend to my "toilet", and after that I amuse my dog with a game of tussle, then my humans head over to the driveway to collect the paper from the tube. We sit on the hill with Mom while Dad fetches the paper (hahaha!) and then Dad hands the paper to me and we all run down the hill to the house. Last week after Dad gave me the paper and we started down the hill, Aquila ran up to me and grabbed it. Even she understands One So Important as Myself should not be doing such work. Dad's solution? He brings yesterday's paper out, hands it to 'Kee, and gives me today's paper, this way we both have a newspaper to carry. Can't understand those humans.
Now I'm off for my after breakfast nap. I must do something about that Beastly Baby, it makes the most horric noise to disturb me from my slumber.....
She's also a good toy-tester. If it's a good toy, she will play with it, which means it is good enough for me. Since she follows Mom everywhere, I don't have to, so I can leave my fine specimen of a self right where I am, usually in the primo spot on the kitchen floor where it is nice and cool. She has also decided to help me with my daily chore (I know, it is hard to understand the cruelty of these humans to make me do any kind of labor, but I do it to amuse them). It is my job to bring the newspaper down to the house.
Every morning the first activity of the day is for me to attend to my "toilet", and after that I amuse my dog with a game of tussle, then my humans head over to the driveway to collect the paper from the tube. We sit on the hill with Mom while Dad fetches the paper (hahaha!) and then Dad hands the paper to me and we all run down the hill to the house. Last week after Dad gave me the paper and we started down the hill, Aquila ran up to me and grabbed it. Even she understands One So Important as Myself should not be doing such work. Dad's solution? He brings yesterday's paper out, hands it to 'Kee, and gives me today's paper, this way we both have a newspaper to carry. Can't understand those humans.
Now I'm off for my after breakfast nap. I must do something about that Beastly Baby, it makes the most horric noise to disturb me from my slumber.....
Aquila's toys
The Canines have way too many dog toys. In spite of that, Aquila never showed much interest in them. As I've written here before, Orion loves nothing more than playing with his stuffies, hiding his toys for us to find, playing ball, and chasing a cuz ball. Try to play "toy" with my girl, however, and she was totally uninterested. Until she visited The Vet.
Aquila visited her doc for her spay. Shortly after she came home from her surgery, she had a "false pregnancy" caused by the change in hormones. She took hold of Orion's newest toy, a pink elephant, and tried to nurse it. She carried that squeaky pink toy around until Orion hid it on her (Maybe he didn't like the noise, or maybe he thought he was playing his favorite game, but whichever, it was several weeks before we found where he hid it!). Never having had a female, this was quite confusing to us. We went out and bought her a new toy, a yellow squeaky bear.
Yellow squeaky bear was carried around everywhere. She kept that toy in her mouth, took it on walks, took it in the car for rides. Now add to the fact that Aquila is quite the slobberdog, and you can imagine how gross this toy became. We dubbed it, "Yucky Baby".
Long after her hormones settled, she still carried her Yucky Baby, or if we threw it, she'd fetch and bring it back. We were so pleased she was learning to play with us, we bought her another toy, "Weenie Baby". As you may be able to guess, it is a squeaky hotdog. Son has a strange sense of humor, and wanted to add a squeaky rubber pork chop as well. Imagine the names we could have come up for that one!
Dear Son found Pink Baby in his garden, so her collection has grown, and she delights in playing. She has learned to play "chase the cuz ball" and she and Orion both chase after the same toy, taking turns bringing it back (she will drop it, he will not, if it's in his mouth, you have to play "tug the cuz" before he'll let you have it).
Yesterday both visited the beauty parlor for much needed baths and trims. While there, I bought The Count a new stuffed octopus; he had removed, via tug games, all the legs from his old one, so I felt it was time for a new one. You can't get a toy for one and not the other, so I found a nice rubber squeak toy for 'Kee, a rubber chicken that sounds like a deranged crow. She loves this new toy, it is in her mouth right now, and she (thankfully) didn't bring it to bed last night, instead she left it downstairs. The noise this thing is raucous, so we have named this one "Beastly Baby". Orion still takes whichever toy she is playing with, I think he is trying to teach her how to play hide-n-seek. Her preferred game to play with Orion is chase-me, chase-me, and doggie wrestling. She's teaching him sports, he's teaching her cerebral pursuits. They are perfect compliments to each other.
Aquila visited her doc for her spay. Shortly after she came home from her surgery, she had a "false pregnancy" caused by the change in hormones. She took hold of Orion's newest toy, a pink elephant, and tried to nurse it. She carried that squeaky pink toy around until Orion hid it on her (Maybe he didn't like the noise, or maybe he thought he was playing his favorite game, but whichever, it was several weeks before we found where he hid it!). Never having had a female, this was quite confusing to us. We went out and bought her a new toy, a yellow squeaky bear.
Yellow squeaky bear was carried around everywhere. She kept that toy in her mouth, took it on walks, took it in the car for rides. Now add to the fact that Aquila is quite the slobberdog, and you can imagine how gross this toy became. We dubbed it, "Yucky Baby".
Long after her hormones settled, she still carried her Yucky Baby, or if we threw it, she'd fetch and bring it back. We were so pleased she was learning to play with us, we bought her another toy, "Weenie Baby". As you may be able to guess, it is a squeaky hotdog. Son has a strange sense of humor, and wanted to add a squeaky rubber pork chop as well. Imagine the names we could have come up for that one! Dear Son found Pink Baby in his garden, so her collection has grown, and she delights in playing. She has learned to play "chase the cuz ball" and she and Orion both chase after the same toy, taking turns bringing it back (she will drop it, he will not, if it's in his mouth, you have to play "tug the cuz" before he'll let you have it).
Yesterday both visited the beauty parlor for much needed baths and trims. While there, I bought The Count a new stuffed octopus; he had removed, via tug games, all the legs from his old one, so I felt it was time for a new one. You can't get a toy for one and not the other, so I found a nice rubber squeak toy for 'Kee, a rubber chicken that sounds like a deranged crow. She loves this new toy, it is in her mouth right now, and she (thankfully) didn't bring it to bed last night, instead she left it downstairs. The noise this thing is raucous, so we have named this one "Beastly Baby". Orion still takes whichever toy she is playing with, I think he is trying to teach her how to play hide-n-seek. Her preferred game to play with Orion is chase-me, chase-me, and doggie wrestling. She's teaching him sports, he's teaching her cerebral pursuits. They are perfect compliments to each other.
Monday, June 16, 2008
My Mom called the other day. She was very excited, and not in a good way. She called to tell me she had two newfs in her garage, one black, one brown, no collars, no tags. What should she do? She had called the dog warden, who told her to call the police. What on earth the police would do with two newfs was beyond her, so she called me. I told her to keep them in the garage and make sure they had plenty of water (which, of course, she didn't need me to tell her as she had already done just that)and I'd be over her house ASAP (she lives almost an hour away, depending on traffic). When I arrived, she had already gotten in touch with the local vet, who thought she knew who they might belong to. She told Mom a family lived about 1/2 mile away who had newfs which fit the description, she'd try to get hold of them and call my Mom back.
When I saw these two, my heart sank. Both were very friendly and cheerful dogs, both had been trimmed (all over, their coat was short), both matted, especially the brown. I couldn't even tell the sex due to the amount of matting, I could tell by the head the brown was a female, but the black I wasn't so sure. Had a narrower head than most males, but had male eyes, those deep, soulful eyes. They both were emaciated, the black about 90 lbs and the brown about 80. They were tall and long-legged, but very thin. The brown had obvious hip problems, and her entire spine was visible. Neither knew any commands, both very hungry. The brown ate all the cat food, and I had brought some of our food, which they gobbled right up. I would have thought they were abandoned but for the trimming and the very cheerful, friendly disposition. They also smelled. They smelled really bad, talk about wet dog! Wet dog times 10 is more like it. They were obviously outdoor dogs.
Finally, after lunch a lady calls. "You have my dogs, I hear." Uh, you want to tell me who you are and describe the dogs? Yup, they were hers. We chatted a bit, and the more I found out, the more upset I got. She has more than two newfs, all intact. She's breeding them, the brown had already had a litter. She wanted to recoup what she paid for the dogs, and make enough to build a new kennel, because the one she had wasn't containing the dogs. She said one of her kids must have left the kennel door unlatched when feeding this morning. Then she said I could just let them loose, they'd find their way back home, they run away every day. Uh, aren't you afraid they might get hit by a car? The road they are on is not the same dead-end road they live on, and cars fly by here pretty fast. I told her I'd bring them home, but if they showed up again at my parents house, they would not be able to bring them home.
So I asked the two if they wanted to go for a ride. They jumped to their feet and into the back of the wagon. They didn't like it when I closed the door, though. I drove them home, and that was when I saw the apalling conditions they lived in. Perhaps there was another pen they are kept in, if so I did not see one, all I saw was a 10' x 6' pen with a gravel floor. For four newfs. No one left the pen unlatched, no one had put them in the pen at all. I had to struggle to get it open, and the latch was way above my head. The food dish was outside the pen, as well as half a bag of Pedigree dog food closed up lying on the ground next to the dish. All dogs were thin, and one was pregnant. None looked older than two years. Poop everywhere. It broke my heart to have to put these dogs into that tiny pen, but I also couldn't leave them out. She had told me her neighbors are ticked at her because her dogs are always running loose. I cried all the way home.
She probably doesn't think she is doing anything wrong. This was how people kept dogs 20 years ago. But here she is breeding and selling dogs with no testing, no regard for the displasia she is passing along, and who knows what else, her only concern was to make a few bucks. I wanted to vomit.
I went home and hugged my two beautiful, happy, healthy newfs.
When I saw these two, my heart sank. Both were very friendly and cheerful dogs, both had been trimmed (all over, their coat was short), both matted, especially the brown. I couldn't even tell the sex due to the amount of matting, I could tell by the head the brown was a female, but the black I wasn't so sure. Had a narrower head than most males, but had male eyes, those deep, soulful eyes. They both were emaciated, the black about 90 lbs and the brown about 80. They were tall and long-legged, but very thin. The brown had obvious hip problems, and her entire spine was visible. Neither knew any commands, both very hungry. The brown ate all the cat food, and I had brought some of our food, which they gobbled right up. I would have thought they were abandoned but for the trimming and the very cheerful, friendly disposition. They also smelled. They smelled really bad, talk about wet dog! Wet dog times 10 is more like it. They were obviously outdoor dogs.
Finally, after lunch a lady calls. "You have my dogs, I hear." Uh, you want to tell me who you are and describe the dogs? Yup, they were hers. We chatted a bit, and the more I found out, the more upset I got. She has more than two newfs, all intact. She's breeding them, the brown had already had a litter. She wanted to recoup what she paid for the dogs, and make enough to build a new kennel, because the one she had wasn't containing the dogs. She said one of her kids must have left the kennel door unlatched when feeding this morning. Then she said I could just let them loose, they'd find their way back home, they run away every day. Uh, aren't you afraid they might get hit by a car? The road they are on is not the same dead-end road they live on, and cars fly by here pretty fast. I told her I'd bring them home, but if they showed up again at my parents house, they would not be able to bring them home.
So I asked the two if they wanted to go for a ride. They jumped to their feet and into the back of the wagon. They didn't like it when I closed the door, though. I drove them home, and that was when I saw the apalling conditions they lived in. Perhaps there was another pen they are kept in, if so I did not see one, all I saw was a 10' x 6' pen with a gravel floor. For four newfs. No one left the pen unlatched, no one had put them in the pen at all. I had to struggle to get it open, and the latch was way above my head. The food dish was outside the pen, as well as half a bag of Pedigree dog food closed up lying on the ground next to the dish. All dogs were thin, and one was pregnant. None looked older than two years. Poop everywhere. It broke my heart to have to put these dogs into that tiny pen, but I also couldn't leave them out. She had told me her neighbors are ticked at her because her dogs are always running loose. I cried all the way home.
She probably doesn't think she is doing anything wrong. This was how people kept dogs 20 years ago. But here she is breeding and selling dogs with no testing, no regard for the displasia she is passing along, and who knows what else, her only concern was to make a few bucks. I wanted to vomit.
I went home and hugged my two beautiful, happy, healthy newfs.
Friday, May 30, 2008
The words my newfs know
After almost six weeks in her new home, Aquila (formerly Nova) has settled into our routine, and is showing her personality. She has quite a fun personality, is a Mommy-magnet, and likes squeaky rubber toys. She is the sweetest thing, but she definitely has a few quirks (as we all do!). One in particular is her difficulty understanding "our" language. For example, The Hubber dug a trench in the back yard, and to keep the rain from moving the soil back in, he covered it with a tarp. When I go outside, the dogs go out with me, and they follow me everywhere, sometimes under foot, and other times they mosey. So when they reached the tarp-covered trench, I said, "Orion, stay off the plastic." He looked at the plastic, looked at me, and went around it. Good. He understands! Next comes 'Kee. "Aquila, stay off the plastic." 'Kee's head is transparent, I can see what's in it. And you know what she was thinking? "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy...." So I yell, " 'Kee, walk around the plastic!" 'Kee says, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy...." I yell, "No! Not on the plastic!!" 'Kee says, "Mommy, Momm--whoops!" Into the hole she goes. This is pretty typical Aquila. So it got me to thinking, what's the different words my two newfs understand?
Orion knows all his commands (sit,stay, down, go around, wait, come, etc.), plus things like, "Go for a ride" "Go for a walkie" "Go potty" "Go poop" "Eat" "Go in your crate" "Daddy's home" "Bed time", and "Drink of water". What he doesn't know for certain, he pretty much figures out.
Aquila knows (so far) "Drink of water" "Go potty" "In the potty pen" "Go poop" "Where's the yucky baby?" and "Where's your squeaky toy?" Everything else is "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, must find Mommy, must be near Mommy, etc." We've been working on the commands, but she is still finding our language to be alien. Nonetheless, she is just the most cheerful thing, especially first thing in the morning (when The Count wishes he were still in bed, His Highness prefers a late get-up time). This morning when I let her out she ran all over the yard just as happy as a clam. If a dog could show pure joy, this was it! Of course, if she's running like mad all over the yard, The Count must come out to see why. Was he ever happy to find her feeling playful, he has been waiting for her to play with him since we brought her home. So the two bears ran all over the yard, wrastling each other, tackling, jumping and playing. It was truly an awesome sight! Tomorrow I will bring out the video camera in the hopes of capturing some, I'd probably do best to bring it every morning, since you just never know when they'll want to be playful puppies again.
Orion knows all his commands (sit,stay, down, go around, wait, come, etc.), plus things like, "Go for a ride" "Go for a walkie" "Go potty" "Go poop" "Eat" "Go in your crate" "Daddy's home" "Bed time", and "Drink of water". What he doesn't know for certain, he pretty much figures out.
Aquila knows (so far) "Drink of water" "Go potty" "In the potty pen" "Go poop" "Where's the yucky baby?" and "Where's your squeaky toy?" Everything else is "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, must find Mommy, must be near Mommy, etc." We've been working on the commands, but she is still finding our language to be alien. Nonetheless, she is just the most cheerful thing, especially first thing in the morning (when The Count wishes he were still in bed, His Highness prefers a late get-up time). This morning when I let her out she ran all over the yard just as happy as a clam. If a dog could show pure joy, this was it! Of course, if she's running like mad all over the yard, The Count must come out to see why. Was he ever happy to find her feeling playful, he has been waiting for her to play with him since we brought her home. So the two bears ran all over the yard, wrastling each other, tackling, jumping and playing. It was truly an awesome sight! Tomorrow I will bring out the video camera in the hopes of capturing some, I'd probably do best to bring it every morning, since you just never know when they'll want to be playful puppies again.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
More from Miss Nova
Hi my new friends. Last night was the first night in my new home. It was very, very quiet, except for the sirens (brush fires in the neighboring town--Mom). I slept in my crate downstairs, and slept all night. I was so tired after all the excitement yesterday. This morning Mom got up before the sun and took me out of my crate for a walk. We walked around the yard, and she gave me a drink. Then Orion was up so we went for another walk with Orion. I was very nervous, but I find Orion's presence very calming, and when he's around I know I have nothing to be nervous about. Mom took us in, and then Dad took me out, where I went potty, then we came in and I was served a delicious breakfast. Now I am napping with Orion.
As for me, I am four years old and all black. I came from a very nice home where I was very much loved, but I just was not happy. I had been a show dog, but I did not like it. I was also a Mom, but didn't like that job either. What I really wanted was to be someone's pet. My loving family knew this, so they set out to find me a home where I would be an inside dog, preferably with another newf. See how wise they were? I'm still uncertain about all this, I don't know what is expected of me, but I do know that Orion is very spoiled and gets lots of treats, toys, and pats, so I think I will like to live like he does.
As for me, I am four years old and all black. I came from a very nice home where I was very much loved, but I just was not happy. I had been a show dog, but I did not like it. I was also a Mom, but didn't like that job either. What I really wanted was to be someone's pet. My loving family knew this, so they set out to find me a home where I would be an inside dog, preferably with another newf. See how wise they were? I'm still uncertain about all this, I don't know what is expected of me, but I do know that Orion is very spoiled and gets lots of treats, toys, and pats, so I think I will like to live like he does.
A Note from Nova
Hi, my name is Nova and I am a Newfoundland Dog. Yesterday I had a grooming and some special attention. I did not know why, but I was soon to find out.
Today some people came to my house. We hung around outside with my owners who discussed food and shots and such stuff I am not interested in. The new people pet me, and a small human gave me a lot of petting while I sat in the shade. They also had another dog, but I didn't pay it much mind. I was stunned and thoroughly confused when they opened up their car and put me inside. I love going for rides! This car smelled different, no familiar smells, so this was strange. We drove for a long time, then stopped for a walk. When I stepped out, I was not home, but in a very strange place called a "Rest Area". I heard the humans discussing this, that's how I knew. I looked for my family, my pack, the other dogs, but no smells were at all familiar. I was scared! The Man gave me some water, but I just wanted to get back into the crate. The Woman took me for a walk but I just wanted to get back into the crate. So they put me back in and we drove for a long while.
The next time they stopped, we were at a park. The whole human pack, plus the other dog, got out for a walk, but I did not want to. They coaxed me out, put a collar and leash on me, and we started walking along a brook. The Woman decided to take the leash off so I could walk with everyone else, which I did for a while. Then I got scared, and I panicked! I just wanted to be at home with what I know, so I turned and ran. That was when I learned The Woman can run faster than I can. She caught up with me and snapped th leash back on me. I turned around and saw the rest of the humans waiting. We walked together down to a brook, and they let me wade in where I took a drink. I got to get my feet wet, but the Woman did not let go of the leash. We walked and walked and walked, and I walked very well, right by the side of the Woman. I like her, since she came back for me.
We all got back into the car and drove for about two minutes when the Man said, "We are home. This is your new home, Nova." I was terribly scared! Where was my pack? Where were my owners? What is going on here?!
The humans took me in the house. Now that was strange, I am not a house dog, but a show dog who hated the show ring. I liked being in the house. The Man gave me some water, which I drank. The Woman took me and the other dog for a walk around the yard, where I finally peed. Do you know what the Woman did when I peed? She said, "Go pee. Go pee. Go pee." Then she gave me a cookie for going pee! Can you imagine? I got lots of praise and pats. I walked on-leash around the yard, then we went back in the house. In-the-house! Next the humans were preparing dinner. Boy was I hungry! I heard the kibble go into the dish, and I came right up to the Woman who was preparing it. She gave the other dog his first, then gave me mine after he started eating his. You won't believe what I had in my kibble: meatballs! I had kibble with meatballs! Yum!
Next we went outside into the fenced in area. The Woman said, "Go poop," so I sat down. I had no idea what she was talking about but I figured I'd wait until she showed me. I guess she wasn't going to show me, as she took my leash and led me to the front porch where the Man, the kid, and the other dog were sitting. The woman spoke to me, "I am Mom." She pointed to the Man and said, "This is Dad." She pointed to the other dog and said, "And this is now your brother, Orion Count Drulzelot......"
Sunday, April 13, 2008
I can't understand it....
Whenever I take a few days (okay, weeks) off from posting, when I revisit my blog a bunch of my links are missing. I can't tell you how many times I have edited my links only to have a huge chunck of them dis-right-appear from my page.
So for those of you who do not see a link to your blog/business and would like one, please let me know and I will add you. Somewhere I will just have to keep a list of them on my computer, because I never can figure out which ones are missing. Just that I had about 20 and I come back and there are five.............
So for those of you who do not see a link to your blog/business and would like one, please let me know and I will add you. Somewhere I will just have to keep a list of them on my computer, because I never can figure out which ones are missing. Just that I had about 20 and I come back and there are five.............
Saturday, March 22, 2008
We've (finally) been invited!
After meeting us at the school for the Read Aloud Day, the new children's librarian at our public library called today to ask if we would like to give a presentation in July on Newfoundland Dogs! She was so impressed by The Count's behavior, calm disposition, and of course, good looks. We are so thrilled to be able to visit the kids and to tell about this magnificent breed.
When I first had Orion trained for entrance into the Pet Partners program with the Delta Society, I visted the children's librarian which had recently been hired. As I am a fixture at our library and my kids grew up participating in the programs presented by the chilren's past librarians, I was eager to let our new one know we'd be happy to offer our services (I've also taught origami to the children for many years there). She was one of those who asks a question then answers it herself, and she didn't even take my number. I also offered my origami skills, but she wasn't interested in that either. She had her own, different way, in which she wanted to do all the programs herself, and I respected that. It is her choice, afterall. A few weeks later when I visited to check out some books, she scolded me for not bringing my library card (well, everything is computerized, so they just type in my name, I don't even know where my card is). I visted the library every week for close to twelve years, so everyone there really knows me! I'm not exactly a kid, and I really don't care to be scolded by someone younger than me for something as trivial as my library card, so I found her a bit annoying. Whenever I visited, I tried to avoid her since she always had something to say which I found impolite, or if I asked someone a question, she'd answer from across the room (plus, I never brought my library card). For the next three years I rarely visted the library. So when I read we had a new children's librarian, I returned. She is a sweet, soft-spoken, very polite lady, perfect for a children's librarian. She has some great ideas for programs where she is once again getting the community involved in the programs, which I think is great.
Plus, she doesn't ask me for my library card.
When I first had Orion trained for entrance into the Pet Partners program with the Delta Society, I visted the children's librarian which had recently been hired. As I am a fixture at our library and my kids grew up participating in the programs presented by the chilren's past librarians, I was eager to let our new one know we'd be happy to offer our services (I've also taught origami to the children for many years there). She was one of those who asks a question then answers it herself, and she didn't even take my number. I also offered my origami skills, but she wasn't interested in that either. She had her own, different way, in which she wanted to do all the programs herself, and I respected that. It is her choice, afterall. A few weeks later when I visited to check out some books, she scolded me for not bringing my library card (well, everything is computerized, so they just type in my name, I don't even know where my card is). I visted the library every week for close to twelve years, so everyone there really knows me! I'm not exactly a kid, and I really don't care to be scolded by someone younger than me for something as trivial as my library card, so I found her a bit annoying. Whenever I visited, I tried to avoid her since she always had something to say which I found impolite, or if I asked someone a question, she'd answer from across the room (plus, I never brought my library card). For the next three years I rarely visted the library. So when I read we had a new children's librarian, I returned. She is a sweet, soft-spoken, very polite lady, perfect for a children's librarian. She has some great ideas for programs where she is once again getting the community involved in the programs, which I think is great.
Plus, she doesn't ask me for my library card.
Orion visits the school (by Mom)
I received a call from a dear friend of mine. She had been asked to read to a second grade class for the annual "Read Aloud Day" where community members are invited to read to the elementary classes. As a former teacher she loves children and is great with them. But unfortunately, she had just been diagnosed with pneumonia, and would not be able to attend. Might I be able to fill in for her? Absolutely! I ran to the school and left a note for the teacher whose class I'd be reading to: Could I bring Orion? She called me later that evening and said she'd be delighted to have him visit.
The next day we arrived bright and early, all brushed out, clean ruff, chili bandana tied around his neck, and his bright blue "pack-pack" on his back, which was stuffed with treats, some books about newfs, and a T/Y gift for the teacher and class. We didn't go directly to the class, but instead were invited to a breakfast with the other readers while the kids went to their classes and tended to their morning routines. While visiting with the other readers, I had the opportunity to introduce Orion the both the librarian and the children's new librarian at our public library (which I visit weekly, but they had not actually met The Count). He also met several other big dog owners (who did not have dogs with them), so he could give sloppy kisses to people who appreciated them.
Next, we were given a fourth grade escort to take us to our class, who was smitten with His Highness. While walking past other classes, we could hear kids saying, "What was that?!" "I just saw a horse go by!" "Holy cow, did you see THAT?!" Then we arrived at our class, and the kids were stunned, then delighted. They all sat on the reading rug, and Orion lay by my side as I read, "I saw an Ant in the Parking Lot", an amusing, rhyming book perfect for kids to listen to (it would have been in my home library had it been published when mine were little). Following the reading, I told the kids a bit about Newfoundland dogs, then had them each take turns feeding Orion a home-made seaweed cookie. They were very amused to find dogs like seaweed, carrots, and green beans. Orion was on his best behavior. Next, several of the kids shared their pet stories with me, which I always love. Then it was time to go, so we said our goodbyes, and Orion and I left the way we came.
Once we reached the top of the stairs we met a teacher out in the hall with a couple of her students. Not just any teacher, but a fourth-grade, big-dog loving teacher! She and her students had to come get newfie lovin's which caused the other studnets to come to the door to find out why the teacher was taking so long, which menat her class started filtering into the hallway. I asked if I could bring Orion into her class, and so we all went in, to the delight of her students. I told them about newfs, and walked around the class giving each studnet a turn to pet him, then he lay down on the floor and they all came over to cuddle with him. By the time we were done and left that room, then spoke with several other teachers in the hallways on our way out, we had been there for two hours! Orion was in his element; lots of fans, lots of little kids, lots of faces to kiss, lots of treats, it doesn't get any better than that for a newf.
The next day we arrived bright and early, all brushed out, clean ruff, chili bandana tied around his neck, and his bright blue "pack-pack" on his back, which was stuffed with treats, some books about newfs, and a T/Y gift for the teacher and class. We didn't go directly to the class, but instead were invited to a breakfast with the other readers while the kids went to their classes and tended to their morning routines. While visiting with the other readers, I had the opportunity to introduce Orion the both the librarian and the children's new librarian at our public library (which I visit weekly, but they had not actually met The Count). He also met several other big dog owners (who did not have dogs with them), so he could give sloppy kisses to people who appreciated them.
Next, we were given a fourth grade escort to take us to our class, who was smitten with His Highness. While walking past other classes, we could hear kids saying, "What was that?!" "I just saw a horse go by!" "Holy cow, did you see THAT?!" Then we arrived at our class, and the kids were stunned, then delighted. They all sat on the reading rug, and Orion lay by my side as I read, "I saw an Ant in the Parking Lot", an amusing, rhyming book perfect for kids to listen to (it would have been in my home library had it been published when mine were little). Following the reading, I told the kids a bit about Newfoundland dogs, then had them each take turns feeding Orion a home-made seaweed cookie. They were very amused to find dogs like seaweed, carrots, and green beans. Orion was on his best behavior. Next, several of the kids shared their pet stories with me, which I always love. Then it was time to go, so we said our goodbyes, and Orion and I left the way we came.
Once we reached the top of the stairs we met a teacher out in the hall with a couple of her students. Not just any teacher, but a fourth-grade, big-dog loving teacher! She and her students had to come get newfie lovin's which caused the other studnets to come to the door to find out why the teacher was taking so long, which menat her class started filtering into the hallway. I asked if I could bring Orion into her class, and so we all went in, to the delight of her students. I told them about newfs, and walked around the class giving each studnet a turn to pet him, then he lay down on the floor and they all came over to cuddle with him. By the time we were done and left that room, then spoke with several other teachers in the hallways on our way out, we had been there for two hours! Orion was in his element; lots of fans, lots of little kids, lots of faces to kiss, lots of treats, it doesn't get any better than that for a newf.
One busy Newf
Gee, it's been a long Winter. I have been pretty much lying around, slugging by the fire, holding down the carpet, and leaving puddles of drool as I wait for Spring to arrive. With Spring, we can resume our walkies, you see. I LIVE for our walkies. So you can imagine my excitement when Mom loaded me in the car the day the kiddos missed the bus. I figured she'd just take them to school, but instead she drove right past our house after depositing them at their assigned places. Where was she going so early in the morning? Is that her turn signal I hear???? I jumped up from my spot in the back of the car, cuz I knew what the turn signal at that particular spot meant: A walkie!! I started bouncing around the car (shaking it, Mom said) and wimpering with delight. When she opened the door, I shot out at full speed. It had been months since I'd last been here, and all those smells, all those rocks, all those trees, and that was just next to the parking lot. When I noticed two other cars in the lot, I knew who they belonged to, so I ran as fast as I could to see my human friends and their doggers. They were all happy to see me, and I, them. The trail was perfect (perfectly ICY!) so Mom walked very slowly to enjoy the scenery. She has since taken me back, it's less icy now but much, much more wet, which is even better, though Mom is thinking she'd prefer it a little drier. Don't understand why she doesn't like to get her feet wet, it is so much fun to slop in the mud. Especially since I had just visited the beatuy parlor, and you know how dull it is to be clean.
So Spring is here, the crucus are blooming, the sun is warming things up. Life is just delicious!
So Spring is here, the crucus are blooming, the sun is warming things up. Life is just delicious!
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