We had some friends over tonight to celebrate my birthday. These are people that Bugsy loves, really loves. This means he is ultra chaotic when they visit or if he goes there.
Tonight in the less than 3 hrs they were here, he received lots of treats for behaving, if he relaxes away from the action and food we usually give him teeny rewards for doing so and to keep him in that position. I bet he had a dozen almonds and cashews, several tortilla chips, little snippets of ribs, cheese, and half a sweet potato. He also devoured a 12 inch rawhide retriever, several treats from in a kong, and the coup de gras; a large chunk of microfiber towel.
He was doing his infamous steal the kitchen towel trick, dropping one only to grab the other and finally grabbed his 'slobber' towel. So we laughed and said whatever. But then I looked over and thought crap he has it in pieces. On closer inspection he had eaten a fairly large chunk of it.
After they left he proceeded to attempt to drink the contents of his kiddie pool, apparently he'd built up a thirst.
So please spare a 'hoping it all passes through unimpeded' thought for the idiot.
BTW we don't feed him like this usually as it clearly isn't healthy for him or any other dog, it was purely to reduce the amount of chaos, which it did.
Which is a bit scary :)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Add fox to the list
right up near the top.
Top of what list you may ask?
The top of the 'animals that incite' Bugsy list.
It appears to be in the goose & cat range, thinking that goose probably still reigns at the top with cat & fox tied for a very close second.
How did I discover this?
We had a fox come out of someone's yard and cross in front of us - about 20 yds in front of us. It wasn't pretty.
But I still have all my appendages and so does Bugsy so its all good.
Dear Mr or Mrs Fox it would be best if you did your crossing of the road either before we arrive or after we pass through,
Thanks
Top of what list you may ask?
The top of the 'animals that incite' Bugsy list.
It appears to be in the goose & cat range, thinking that goose probably still reigns at the top with cat & fox tied for a very close second.
How did I discover this?
We had a fox come out of someone's yard and cross in front of us - about 20 yds in front of us. It wasn't pretty.
But I still have all my appendages and so does Bugsy so its all good.
Dear Mr or Mrs Fox it would be best if you did your crossing of the road either before we arrive or after we pass through,
Thanks
Monday, May 9, 2011
guard dog
NOT!
Big bad Bugsy who never misses an opportunity to bark at the UPS man that stops and plays with him has made no indication of interest with regard to the 4 men digging right outside the window.
I went to go see what he was doing and he was on his bed which is about 2 feet from the open window, snoring.
When the trucks arrived with much clatter, nothing.
When they shout to each other, drill, saw and when they ate lunch. Nothing.
Not interested.
When I pointed them out to him he wagged his tail.
OK whatever Bugsy, but your reputation as a tough guy will suffer.
Oh that's right everyone knows you are a big baby!
My sweet boy!
Big bad Bugsy who never misses an opportunity to bark at the UPS man that stops and plays with him has made no indication of interest with regard to the 4 men digging right outside the window.
I went to go see what he was doing and he was on his bed which is about 2 feet from the open window, snoring.
When the trucks arrived with much clatter, nothing.
When they shout to each other, drill, saw and when they ate lunch. Nothing.
Not interested.
When I pointed them out to him he wagged his tail.
OK whatever Bugsy, but your reputation as a tough guy will suffer.
Oh that's right everyone knows you are a big baby!
My sweet boy!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thanks for all the smiles Bugsy
For a variety of reasons life is getting on top of me lately. I feel 'darker' than usual and just irritated and serious.
Enter Bugsy.
Gosh he can make me laugh and get me to play no matter my mood.
I am much more than very thankful for that because sometimes as adults we get way too serious and forget to just have some simple, silly fun.
So thanks Bugsy for reminding me how much fun life can be on a beautiful evening - all it took was a 4 inch piece of cedar from a plant too.
I also want to say once again that this dog has a full social calendar.
This morning he had a bit of a play with a chocolate lab pup, who then walked most of the way home with us.
Then this evening the cocker spaniel puppy came over and they ran around like fools.
Tuesday he played and/or walked with 5 different dogs. It's crazy and oh so wonderful.
Yes I am unabashedly feeling the love for the beast.
MY world is a much better place for having him in it.
Enter Bugsy.
Gosh he can make me laugh and get me to play no matter my mood.
I am much more than very thankful for that because sometimes as adults we get way too serious and forget to just have some simple, silly fun.
So thanks Bugsy for reminding me how much fun life can be on a beautiful evening - all it took was a 4 inch piece of cedar from a plant too.
I also want to say once again that this dog has a full social calendar.
This morning he had a bit of a play with a chocolate lab pup, who then walked most of the way home with us.
Then this evening the cocker spaniel puppy came over and they ran around like fools.
Tuesday he played and/or walked with 5 different dogs. It's crazy and oh so wonderful.
Yes I am unabashedly feeling the love for the beast.
MY world is a much better place for having him in it.
Monday, May 2, 2011
just a day in the life
as per usual Bugsy was just waiting for one of us to make the first move, not sure how he knows when someone is getting up to pee or getting up for the day, but he does. This morning it was DH at 5:30am and Bugsy could not have been happier.
Oh to awaken each day as if breathing was the greatest and most pleasing thing ever! He wiggles and wags and does a somersault which is followed by much rolling, stretching and making odd noises. He beckons you to rub his belly and it cannot be resisted.
Then after the coffee pot is started he races to the backdoor skidding to a stop just in time to not slam into the door. His collar is affixed and then he about tramples you out the door and the next one too.
Off into the morning to determine who has visited overnight.
Whether it is I or DH we amble bleary-eyed down the drive to get the paper. At some point along our journey back he will fly into the picture grabbing the newspaper out of our hand and he carries it in to the house and then drops it on the steps to the kitchen door. Without fail this is how he begins each day.
Breakfast follows and then he is a first class imp until he follows me upstairs to make the bed and get ready to run or walk.
This morning he wanted to fly - it was one of those mornings I wish we could still bike ride together - he would have outrun the bike this morning. Instead we settled for mixing some jogging with a few sprints and a few walks.
I thought he was tired when we got done but no, he needed to play fetch with his wubba, run in and out of his pool and then zoom in the goofy way he does. Oh I can't help but laugh.
After the morning festivities he settles down, thankfully, until lunchtime when if one of us is home, he goes out to once again investigate his turf and then sun bathe for a short time.
This afternoon we went to the vet for his bordatella and immediately after we arrived a pretty hound/boxer mix came in and the two of them started playbowing and trying to wrestle in the lobby. Now he loves to go to the vet but this I have never seen before.
Finally, tonight we had someone coming to give us an estimate for some stonework. Bugsy always knows when we are waiting for someone and to say he gets excited/anxious would be a HUGE understatement. The guy turned up an hour late so Bugsy had been running to windows and on high alert for most of that time.
The guy was here for about an hour and Bugsy was chilled out inside but still watching every move.
Finally the man left and he went flying out the door and tracked every footstep the guy made.
Every.foot.step.
Having completed his inspection he pooped, came inside, had a huge sloppy drink, and retired to bed.
Day over.
Well until someone opens the cottage cheese tub and tells him to go banyo.
Then if he is lucky, some unsuspecting rabbit is grazing in the yard. He stalks them for ages, standing at point, and then *bam!* he's off.
Rabbit runs free
He takes a pee, comes in, up the stairs and chooses a bed for the night.
See you when one of you gets your lazy human butt out of bed and we can start this all over again.
Oh to awaken each day as if breathing was the greatest and most pleasing thing ever! He wiggles and wags and does a somersault which is followed by much rolling, stretching and making odd noises. He beckons you to rub his belly and it cannot be resisted.
Then after the coffee pot is started he races to the backdoor skidding to a stop just in time to not slam into the door. His collar is affixed and then he about tramples you out the door and the next one too.
Off into the morning to determine who has visited overnight.
Whether it is I or DH we amble bleary-eyed down the drive to get the paper. At some point along our journey back he will fly into the picture grabbing the newspaper out of our hand and he carries it in to the house and then drops it on the steps to the kitchen door. Without fail this is how he begins each day.
Breakfast follows and then he is a first class imp until he follows me upstairs to make the bed and get ready to run or walk.
This morning he wanted to fly - it was one of those mornings I wish we could still bike ride together - he would have outrun the bike this morning. Instead we settled for mixing some jogging with a few sprints and a few walks.
I thought he was tired when we got done but no, he needed to play fetch with his wubba, run in and out of his pool and then zoom in the goofy way he does. Oh I can't help but laugh.
After the morning festivities he settles down, thankfully, until lunchtime when if one of us is home, he goes out to once again investigate his turf and then sun bathe for a short time.
This afternoon we went to the vet for his bordatella and immediately after we arrived a pretty hound/boxer mix came in and the two of them started playbowing and trying to wrestle in the lobby. Now he loves to go to the vet but this I have never seen before.
Finally, tonight we had someone coming to give us an estimate for some stonework. Bugsy always knows when we are waiting for someone and to say he gets excited/anxious would be a HUGE understatement. The guy turned up an hour late so Bugsy had been running to windows and on high alert for most of that time.
The guy was here for about an hour and Bugsy was chilled out inside but still watching every move.
Finally the man left and he went flying out the door and tracked every footstep the guy made.
Every.foot.step.
Having completed his inspection he pooped, came inside, had a huge sloppy drink, and retired to bed.
Day over.
Well until someone opens the cottage cheese tub and tells him to go banyo.
Then if he is lucky, some unsuspecting rabbit is grazing in the yard. He stalks them for ages, standing at point, and then *bam!* he's off.
Rabbit runs free
He takes a pee, comes in, up the stairs and chooses a bed for the night.
See you when one of you gets your lazy human butt out of bed and we can start this all over again.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Success!
Today something amazing happened.
Something I truly did not have faith 'could' happen,
but I wanted to believe we would achieve.
I successfully called Bugsy off geese.
Yes you heard correctly. He went into full attack mode but I was able to stop him before he launched.
I'm still processing it. Still tingling with the fear of losing him and the intensity of the 'moment'. Which was much more than a moment.
So it goes like this. It's a beautiful day. Perfect. All day I've been imagining taking him to the lake for a swim, but since I am still suffering with bronchitis and asthma I was concerned about having the energy to be fully in charge. (one never does anything with the beast without having the ability to be fully in charge)
So I came home from work, changed, strapped the e-collar on the beast and a waterproof collar, added fresh duck scent to the dokken duck, and loaded up.
As soon as we took a few steps toward the beach area I spotted two Canadian geese by the boats. The boats we have to walk past.
Fortunately they walked off behind the boats so although his nose was aware and he was looking for them, they were out of his sight.
Unfortunately two American Coots were not out of his sight. Since he doesn't usually show an interest in them he caught me off guard and took off. The coots launched and some small children and their parents screamed at the scene which distracted him giving the poor coots a bit of time to get free. He continued his chase but I called 'here' and gave a stim.
Shocked he looked back and decided to listen.
Whew minor crisis averted. I apologized to the children and parents, the kids were thrilled to watch the doggie swim, parents thought I was nuts.
Ah well, I am I suppose.
We then were able to do some nice retrieves and everyone was happy.
But then our Canadian geese friends resurfaced from behind the boats and were squawking like mad.
He whipped around so fast and went straight into the pre-launch attack mode that my heart stopped. They mindlessly honked while he became ever more fixated.
Gulp.
The audience was now still and silent, even the little kids stopped playing.
Despite the cool water and temps I began to sweat profusely.
His 30ft line was attached but I knew I couldn't physically hold him.
I called 'here' with a sound stim. He crept lower and toward the geese.
Crap I thought I am going to lose him.
HERE! stim
He flinched but became more intent.
HERE! higher stim
He looks at me, with a look that could kill. "I am busy Mom, do not interfere"
HERE! same stim
He loosens and reluctantly comes toward me, clearly confused by what his whole being believes is the right thing to do (attack geese) and doing as commanded.
I re-engage him with the dokken, but the tension in his body is unmistakable.
One mom and her kids are now transfixed. She comments that she has never seen intensity like that and that it fascinates her to see his conflict.
Her little boy wants to throw the dokken.
hmm OK so Bugsy happily gets it and brings it to the little guy, still with an eye on the geese.
They honk again. He's on the verge.
We struggle again, but once again he re-engages.
I'm joyous and terrified because I know we are on the edge, he could take off at any moment. The darn geese are on land near the boats so if he did go on a tear it would be a disaster, keep in mind he has a 30 ft line attached.
We continue this dangerous dance for as long as I can stand it. If I lose any concentration I'll lose him. And he is looking for that moment.
So we wrap it up BUT the geese are about 5 ft from our gear bag that I tossed on the beach. No way, no how I can walk with him to get it. So we had to walk up and around the beach house, through the playground and back to the car.
This was no easy task because he clearly knew I was trying to avoid them and was doing all he could to get an opportunity to launch after them.
He is nothing if not persistent.
My favorite move was a pretend mark of a tree in which he hunkered down and locked on to them from behind the tree. Another 'leave it' and zap helped move us along safely.
We received horrible stares as I led this large, tense, muscular dog, hand on his collar to keep him right at my side with no leverage, through the playground.
Although one little girl ran up to pet him and he broke into tail wagging and kissing, LOL.
Eventually we got back to the car but he refused to go in. He just kept staring at the boat area, you can't fool the beast.
But for all the struggle we had a lovely time.
He swam, retrieved his dokken, kissed some 2 yr olds and I stopped him from chasing the geese.
I am still trying to fully process this achievement.
I know we are not free from our struggles, he will likely really work me next time having been thwarted this time, but we did succeed.
There is hope.
The work we've done with the collar is showing.
Its not the easy time many report but the fact that it worked today on geese on Bugsy, is nothing less than extraordinary.
I'm still smiling.
I still fantasize about having a normal dog that just loves to play in the water and will fetch anything you throw, paying no mind to the resident wildlife.
But I don't have that dog.
I've got my Bugsy and I love him and I suppose I do appreciate the challenges he throws my way. It makes successes like today extra special.
Something I truly did not have faith 'could' happen,
but I wanted to believe we would achieve.
I successfully called Bugsy off geese.
Yes you heard correctly. He went into full attack mode but I was able to stop him before he launched.
I'm still processing it. Still tingling with the fear of losing him and the intensity of the 'moment'. Which was much more than a moment.
So it goes like this. It's a beautiful day. Perfect. All day I've been imagining taking him to the lake for a swim, but since I am still suffering with bronchitis and asthma I was concerned about having the energy to be fully in charge. (one never does anything with the beast without having the ability to be fully in charge)
So I came home from work, changed, strapped the e-collar on the beast and a waterproof collar, added fresh duck scent to the dokken duck, and loaded up.
As soon as we took a few steps toward the beach area I spotted two Canadian geese by the boats. The boats we have to walk past.
Fortunately they walked off behind the boats so although his nose was aware and he was looking for them, they were out of his sight.
Unfortunately two American Coots were not out of his sight. Since he doesn't usually show an interest in them he caught me off guard and took off. The coots launched and some small children and their parents screamed at the scene which distracted him giving the poor coots a bit of time to get free. He continued his chase but I called 'here' and gave a stim.
Shocked he looked back and decided to listen.
Whew minor crisis averted. I apologized to the children and parents, the kids were thrilled to watch the doggie swim, parents thought I was nuts.
Ah well, I am I suppose.
We then were able to do some nice retrieves and everyone was happy.
But then our Canadian geese friends resurfaced from behind the boats and were squawking like mad.
He whipped around so fast and went straight into the pre-launch attack mode that my heart stopped. They mindlessly honked while he became ever more fixated.
Gulp.
The audience was now still and silent, even the little kids stopped playing.
Despite the cool water and temps I began to sweat profusely.
His 30ft line was attached but I knew I couldn't physically hold him.
I called 'here' with a sound stim. He crept lower and toward the geese.
Crap I thought I am going to lose him.
HERE! stim
He flinched but became more intent.
HERE! higher stim
He looks at me, with a look that could kill. "I am busy Mom, do not interfere"
HERE! same stim
He loosens and reluctantly comes toward me, clearly confused by what his whole being believes is the right thing to do (attack geese) and doing as commanded.
I re-engage him with the dokken, but the tension in his body is unmistakable.
One mom and her kids are now transfixed. She comments that she has never seen intensity like that and that it fascinates her to see his conflict.
Her little boy wants to throw the dokken.
hmm OK so Bugsy happily gets it and brings it to the little guy, still with an eye on the geese.
They honk again. He's on the verge.
We struggle again, but once again he re-engages.
I'm joyous and terrified because I know we are on the edge, he could take off at any moment. The darn geese are on land near the boats so if he did go on a tear it would be a disaster, keep in mind he has a 30 ft line attached.
We continue this dangerous dance for as long as I can stand it. If I lose any concentration I'll lose him. And he is looking for that moment.
So we wrap it up BUT the geese are about 5 ft from our gear bag that I tossed on the beach. No way, no how I can walk with him to get it. So we had to walk up and around the beach house, through the playground and back to the car.
This was no easy task because he clearly knew I was trying to avoid them and was doing all he could to get an opportunity to launch after them.
He is nothing if not persistent.
My favorite move was a pretend mark of a tree in which he hunkered down and locked on to them from behind the tree. Another 'leave it' and zap helped move us along safely.
We received horrible stares as I led this large, tense, muscular dog, hand on his collar to keep him right at my side with no leverage, through the playground.
Although one little girl ran up to pet him and he broke into tail wagging and kissing, LOL.
Eventually we got back to the car but he refused to go in. He just kept staring at the boat area, you can't fool the beast.
But for all the struggle we had a lovely time.
He swam, retrieved his dokken, kissed some 2 yr olds and I stopped him from chasing the geese.
I am still trying to fully process this achievement.
I know we are not free from our struggles, he will likely really work me next time having been thwarted this time, but we did succeed.
There is hope.
The work we've done with the collar is showing.
Its not the easy time many report but the fact that it worked today on geese on Bugsy, is nothing less than extraordinary.
I'm still smiling.
I still fantasize about having a normal dog that just loves to play in the water and will fetch anything you throw, paying no mind to the resident wildlife.
But I don't have that dog.
I've got my Bugsy and I love him and I suppose I do appreciate the challenges he throws my way. It makes successes like today extra special.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Charge your fears... or something like that
I've been battling some bronchitis so I haven't been walking Bugsy in the morning (fortunately DH has been able to do that) but the last two nights I've wanted to take a short slow stroll and have brought Bugsy along.
Tonight we had a very interesting experience.
It was a gorgeous warm evening (too warm if you are Bugsy)and we were casually walking along when suddenly, in a low lying area Bugsy charged into some long grass.
Of course I am used to him darting off to smell things but this was more than that.
He started to intently sniff some grass and his tail went from its normal up to very low.
Very, very low.
Only time I've seen his tail this low is when he found the 5ft black snake skin, so that got me thinking.
Then he flinched as if stung by the grass.
I couldn't see anything.
Flinches again and acts as if there is some barrier between him and the grass.
OK now I am getting worried.
I'm looking frantically and trying to get him to leave whatever it is alone.
He won't budge and keeps sniffing and exploring.... tail and body language very concerned.
He seems wary of a long twig (ugh I think he really is smelling snake) so I grab the stick and he freaks and tries to grab it from me.
Good Lord Bugsy don't give me a heart attack.
He's continuing to sniff and search.
I'm desperately trying to get him out of there and to see what he smells.
I can't see anything.
But he hones in on a particular spot.
I carefully lean down to see if I can see anything.
He flinches as I move down- I swear my heart is racing.
I think I can see the head of a snake deep in the grass/mud.
That is all I needed, to do what I should have done in the first place, grab him and get our noses out of there.
So I cannot confirm there was a snake there but if I was a betting woman I'd say there was. And since I know that area always has copperheads I'd also gather it was a copperhead.
Bugsy the snake detector.
Now if I could just get him to not try to 'get' everything he smells/finds/fears we would all be a bit safer and my heart rate wouldn't spike so often!
Tonight we had a very interesting experience.
It was a gorgeous warm evening (too warm if you are Bugsy)and we were casually walking along when suddenly, in a low lying area Bugsy charged into some long grass.
Of course I am used to him darting off to smell things but this was more than that.
He started to intently sniff some grass and his tail went from its normal up to very low.
Very, very low.
Only time I've seen his tail this low is when he found the 5ft black snake skin, so that got me thinking.
Then he flinched as if stung by the grass.
I couldn't see anything.
Flinches again and acts as if there is some barrier between him and the grass.
OK now I am getting worried.
I'm looking frantically and trying to get him to leave whatever it is alone.
He won't budge and keeps sniffing and exploring.... tail and body language very concerned.
He seems wary of a long twig (ugh I think he really is smelling snake) so I grab the stick and he freaks and tries to grab it from me.
Good Lord Bugsy don't give me a heart attack.
He's continuing to sniff and search.
I'm desperately trying to get him out of there and to see what he smells.
I can't see anything.
But he hones in on a particular spot.
I carefully lean down to see if I can see anything.
He flinches as I move down- I swear my heart is racing.
I think I can see the head of a snake deep in the grass/mud.
That is all I needed, to do what I should have done in the first place, grab him and get our noses out of there.
So I cannot confirm there was a snake there but if I was a betting woman I'd say there was. And since I know that area always has copperheads I'd also gather it was a copperhead.
Bugsy the snake detector.
Now if I could just get him to not try to 'get' everything he smells/finds/fears we would all be a bit safer and my heart rate wouldn't spike so often!
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