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Volume 56 - November 28, 2003 Materials in this newsletter are the sole possession of the authors and Dog Company. Please do not copy or use in any fashion without written permission |
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From the Editor's Paw Did you say "TROUBLE"? The tune "West Coast Girls" by the Beach Boys played over and over in my mind as I watch my friend "Trouble" play on the floating logs in the little bay where they live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Trouble is an amazing dog. She was a rescue muttly with an attitude, a gazillion phobias and lots of personality. She has overcome most of her "Sybil like qualities" and now she has just the most adorable quirks and some amazing, and I might add, outstanding talents! This thing with the log burling just got me hooked on watching her and the way she treated herself and the way she approached and lived her life on a daily basis. I decided to stalk her and see what other things I could find about this dog that writes books and even writes for our newsletter. Now Trouble's dad, Tony, goes out looking for logs ( for fun) and then tows them home. Then they're cut up into firewood. But not before Trouble gets out there and works her burling or log rolling skills on each of the logs. She even takes the tastiest of the salt watered smaller hunks of work and sort of does a "wood carving" thing and when it is just right, she leaves it for all to admire. Trouble actually wrote an article on the fine art of dog carving the wood. I have watched her clamming and finding them too. You have to be a fast and very good digger. She loves riding our many ferries we have here to get anywhere. All the dogs are ever so watchful for the whale pods fishing. The ferry stops and the whale pods have the right of way. It is a breath taking view. We here on the west coast have other activities beside clamming, and riding a ferry; we have beachcombing all year round ..... swimming, rowing, canoeing, and once when she didn't pay attention, she got stranded for awhile, but it gave her time for some spelunking! At the end of the day, she's even been known to play a game of pool! .. (like taking candy from a baby!) Although some people think that Vancouver Island is the Hawaii of Canada, we do get snow now and then here on the south end of the Island. Trouble likes to try to catch the snow balls being hurled towards her. Besides being an active member of our Flyball team, Canadian Chaos, she takes part in Agility with the Island Dog Sports, www.islanddogsports.com, and with the Canine Trail Blazers, our walking and hiking group. The reason I wanted to write this article was to let people know that dogs like Trouble are the reason I stay in the world's best job, "Dog Trainer's Dog." I would not trade one moment of it. The throw away dogs like Trouble are the reason one of our logo's is, "A dog's mind is a terrible things to waste." Trouble managed to get great parents the second time around; she is HRH (Her Royal Highness) the Lady Trouble, to all who have the privilege to know her! Her website is http://www.members.shaw.ca/phurphotos/ Woof...Sweep ^..^~~!
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Classified (To our advertisers: we'd love to hear if your ad in the Woof was successful. Please drop us a line and let us know.) Wanted: A home. My name is Baron, and I'm 9 years old. I'm very healthy and still full of energy, but I am starting to favour my back end a bit, so I like to sleep in the house during the colder winter months. People say I have an awesome disposition. Everyone loves me, as I am friendly toward people and kids, but I'm not too fond of other dogs; once I've met them, I do better. I'm fully trained but need someone who can give me more time and walks than my present person can. She says it will be difficult to say goodbye to me, but as her life is changing, so must mine. She has my papers and all vet records. Call Lori on her cell 885-6486 if you think you might be able to help us out. Wanted: Your 'articles', your 'For Sales', your 'Want Ads', your birthday wishes, your letters to Mam'selle, your ......... ????? By Wed. Dec.17 .... for the next Woof, please...... mailto:peni@dogcompany.com (Disclaimer: Advertisements posted by the Woof are done as a service, not as an endorsement. Please communicate directly with the ad contact for further information on any items.)
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ASK MAM'SELLE Hi, Mam'selle, Help!!!!!! I am a 9 year old dog with back problems. My parents have been told the vertebras in my back are fused together; therefore, my hind legs are paralyzed. I am not usually in pain, so they don't want to put me down. I am on prednisone - a high dose. Once in a while, when I am moved, I do have some pain. I weigh about 38.3kg. I was very active until about 2 weeks ago, and I would like to be able to get around in one of those carts for my hind legs if I can start feeling better. I also have a dog housemate who I would love to go on walks with again. We are like 2 brothers. I would appreciate any help you could give me and my parents. I am in good spirits, but because of the predrisone, I have to go pee a lot and most of the time it happens when I'm lying down. It sure bothers me because I've always been a clean dog. I hope you can understand me. I know I am not the best speller but hope you can make it out. Thanks. Any suggestions??????? Take care and hope to hear from you soon, Bert Hi Bert, It is really hard, I know, to watch your parents suffer and try to do the right things for you. Have you thought about Chinese medicine? Acupuncture can be very successful. It was for my brother, Jiggs; it gave him 2 pain free years and has done the same for many others I have known or know now. If you live near me on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, there is a Vet here who makes house calls and she is fantastic. Her name is Dr. Lesley Langford. Even if you don't live near me, if you call her (250) 655-9449 she can give you a lot more info from a doctors point of view. There is a cart you can buy to give yourself more mobility. www.k9karts.com I have a few friends who do trail walks with us and they are in carts. They have a blast ! I wish you well; keep in touch and let me know how things go. Wheeling & a wooofin.. Poutine ^..^~~!
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Crossing Over Peacefully in her sleep, on Sunday, November 16th, 2003, our beloved and loving human Mom, Wendy, started on yet another journey. Wendy loved us very much, taught us a lot of tricks and kept us in line at home while Dad was at work. Even though Wendy used a walker, she was always making sure that we kept up our lessons as we helped her around the house, with the laundry, picking up things for her, etc. Many of you saw her on the side lines during our lessons; she would sit, waiting patiently, picking up on all the techniques. In the summer when "Terra" was a puppy, Wendy and "Terra" learned just like I had done - on the pathway at Iroquois Park, to walk beside her and NOT chase the ducks. Wendy had a kind word for everyone and a treat for every dog. She sent out loving, 'reach out and touch you' emails to all she cared about. A friend once told me, "Everyone is born to learn how to live a good life, like loving and being kind and nice to all." Well, my mom Wendy already knew how to do that, so she didn't have to stay as long. "Terra" & myself will continue to be a comfort to Howard (Dad); he is really in need at this time and we are doing our best to comfort him. Wendy will be missed by her family and all her dog and human doggy friends, at Agility, the Park, and Obedience classes. We would ask that in lieu of flowers, people make a donation to the SPCA in the name Wendy Borton. This was something Wendy felt very passionate about.
Phydeau Phun Question: What do you call a mangled dog after a run-in with a tough cat?
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Tips and Tales by Miss Trouble Have I ever told you about my toys? I've got my own toy box, which isn't that unusual - I've heard others talking about theirs. But some of my toys are a bit different. For example, one of my oldest toys is Miss Piggy. Now, Miss Piggy arrived just after Tigger disappeared she's gotten kinda skinny like he did just before he left. You see, I just can't help myself. I sort of chomped a hole in her and pulled out all that white stuff that's inside. ( It looks pretty when it's lying on the floor - reminds me of snow, and I do like snow.) But Miss Piggy, skinny and ragged though she is, is still in the toy box so far. I've got several tennis balls - some are ones that my folks have given me, and some are ones I've found - usually over in KT's yard. She wasn't playing with them so I thought she didn't want them anymore. Dad and I play catch with the balls quite often. I've perfected a mid-air turn, which lets me catch the ball before it hits the TV so that makes Mom happy. I've also got a blue rubber ball and a couple of hard orange ones. they're not as nice as the tennis ones. Squeaky toys have to be my favourites. Over the years I've had several, but they've never lasted too long. I just can't help myself I start to chew on a corner when I'm making it squeak, and pretty soon, I've got a hole and then it gets bigger and then the squeaker comes out and that's the end of it. Mom always seems to know just when that happens, because all of a sudden, there she is, demanding that I give it up. The plastic ones do seem to last me longer than the soft ones. The one I have now is really quite old - Mom gave it to me before Christmas! I like to run around the house making it squeak it drives everyone crazy. I said squeaky toys were my favourite, but there is something else that I really like. Cleo's catnip toys. Every chance I get I steal them from her. I know Mam'selle Poutine said that we should say no to drugs, but there's just something about these toys that I can't resist. I know I'm not supposed to have them, so when I do take one, I usually go and show Mom that I have it but not before I've had a couple of chews! My toys are supposed to be kept in my toy box. I'm really good at getting them out of there after Mom has cleaned up, especially if we have company. I simply put my foot on the edge and give a good push down - if I get it just right, they really fly. Somehow this trick doesn't seem to please Mom that much, but it makes everyone else laugh. So that's my toys.. not all that different from those of anyone else probably, but they're mine and I love them. Kaleb seems to like them too. He has his own box, but somehow, he always seems to end up with one of mine. I don't mind; I'll share quite happily with him, but I do wish he'd stop trying to take the one I'm using! HRH Trouble (athlete with attitude)
Woofs of Wisdom Some dogs live for praise; they look at you as if to say, "Don't throw balls... just throw bouquets."
Did You Know? The first centers for training of guidedogs for the blind were in France and in Germany in 1915. They were designed to help soldiers returning from the front with impaired vision. Other centers followed immediately all over the world.
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Slick's Flicks GRRR ... Wuff! Yep, it's time to pop the popcorn ( I like mine with a bit of butter and a big bowl of water.) Adult: The Shine - Godfrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl. PG: Benny & Joon - Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson. Geeesh.......... I can smell the popcorn now! REMEMBER TO LICK UP ALL THE CRUMBS OFF THE FLOOR!
Pheline Philosophy "Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow."
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The Purrrrrrr Well, we've had some word about Blu..... this news flash is just in! EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! Reported live by Sadie Snoop Beagle, the Hound with a Nose for the News: "Well, folks, it's been a grueling four weeks since the trial was to start for the gang dubbed "The Troublesome Threesome". Oct 31 was the original date set for the trial but a public meowing spearheaded by the infamous Miss Cleocatra, journalist for The Woof, has changed everything. Miss Cleocatra's publication of a letter from Blu, the Himalayn cat that allegedly started the ruckus, prompted felines from across the province to vocalize their concerns that Victoria is a "dog town". Provincial court officials, determined to prevent an all out tooth-and-claw battle between the two species, have been scrambling to appoint a judge and sequester a jury that don't have the slightest bit of doggie doodoo on their paws. They're finally satisfied that they've brought together the finest possible gathering of creatures for this precedent setting case. In fact, His Honour, Judge Oswald Snow Owl, will be overseeing the case. He is reputed as having never had contact with either felines or canines before. Likewise, the jury is made up of 12 thick-skinned mammals (elephants, rhinos, hippos) - again, none have had contact with either species on trial. Right now I'm standing outside Court Room Z (must stand for "zoo" because it surely is one around here). The hallway is full of varmits and vermin and underdogs alike. I've never seen anything like this. Folks, here comes the gang leader now. Let's see if I can get close enough to have a few words. Blu. Blu, sir. May I have a few moments of your time? I understand you are known as King Kat to your followers. Is it true that you instigated the crime? Is it true that Burley Bulldogge is your henchman and Spinny Minny Sage is your 'maul'? Is it true that they're your fall-dogs? Blu, one moment please. Hang on folks, he's talking." "All I have to meow is - purrrrfectly innocent, purrfectly innocent. Why do you even ask? My fate is already sealed. My human even expects me to be sent to the 'big house'. She's brought home a replacement - a kitten named Peaches. How's that for trust and support. Humph. It's stale water and cheap kibble for me for the rest of my 9 lives. Now get out of my face and stick your pointed nose some place else." "Thanks, Blu. Wow, what a tough cat. I'd sure hate to be the rat in his gang. Look! Here comes Spinny Minny Sage. Miss Sage, what do you have to say about all this mess?" "Wasn't it a party? I thought it was a party. It must have been a party. I had a party. Gotta run. Another party coming up." "Ooooookay. If you say so. Folks, she's a beaut, but you know what they say about blondes. Hey, looks like the pound keeper is having to drag Burley Bulldooge in. He definitely has the brakes on. Burley, what do you have to say for yourself?" "I'll be good. Honest, I'll be good. Please don't shoot me with the water pistol again. I don't like water. I didn't mean to do it. Couldn't help myself. Didn't mean to. Couldn't help it. I'll be good, be good, be good, be good, be good." "Burley, you've changed your hair colour. You're looking awfully pink these days. Was this an attempt to escape capture?" "Just stressed, just stressed, just stressed. Awfully stressed. Don't let them take me away. No, no. Let me go. I'll be good." "Well, folks, it's 9 am and court is about to convene. I'll get back to you with more news as it happens. Sadie Snoop Beagle signing off for now." .................... "Sadie Snoop Beagle here - it's now 12:15 pm and court is in recess. Testimony has just completed for Burley Bulldogge and Spinny Minny Sage. The Prosecution didn't take long to get Burley blubbering about his 'roll' in the messy crime. Tough guy - not. I've never seen such a wimp on the stand before during my whole career as a court journalist. All Burley did during cross-examination was shiver and shake, and turn pinker and pinker with each question. He definitely let the cat out of the bag (or put him into the 'big house') with his tail-less confession. Spinny Minny, on the other hand, made life very difficult for both the Defense and Prosecution. There is a rumour that the Defense might have her change her plea to insanity, based on her obsession with parties and her total lack of focus. They are now claiming that she suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - both clinically classed as neurological disorders. What an interesting morning this has been. Sadie Snoop Beagle signing off until there are more developments." Wow... what an event... and to think we're getting it first hand for the Purrrrrrrr. (Even if it is a dog reporting) Cleocatra |
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