Spoiled or Abused?

I really like my comfort! I have my own sofa(s) and blanket(s). Does that make me spoiled? Did I mention my pillow?

 I have my own favourite spots outside, rain or shine,or whatever. If I choose to stay out and refuse to come in, does that make me abused?

Three squares a day, lots of scritches and a good friend to play with kind of says "A dog's life is pretty good, all in all". Now if I could just get more treats!

Daphne

It Was A nice Spring Day!

The day started good with a trip to the dog park with Daphne for  a walk and a play with her Kong on a rope. She is an excellent retriever and brings it right back to hand.

I didn't get pictures, but she is also showing promise as a swimmer in the Rotary Park pond.

 The weather was excellent with a high of +25C   (77F) for most of the day. By 10:00 pm this happened! Only in Alberta, eh!

Our Yard

It's big enough for some fruit trees and a garden plus a rhubarb patch. However, it is simply not deep enough for all the snow!

It's not even mid February yet and we have lots more to come

 Some of our biggest dumps are in March. I may have to build the 6 foot fence higher!

 The two goofy dogs don't seem to mind, but they are both escape artists just waiting for the snow to get to the top of the fence.

 As long as there is still room to play, they are happy.

 Very happy!

Life Goes On!

After 10 days of record breaking temperatures +12C  (53F) we are back to normal and under a snow fall warning. We are expected to get 10 to 20 cm (up to 8 inches) of snow.

 Daphne is starting to like it outdoors and will probably feel quite happy with more of the white stuff.

 Brooklyn is, well, Brooklyn. Laid back and indifferent

 The magpies have been teasing the dogs, landing just out of reach and flying just ahead of them.

 As you can see, the snow is just starting.

Score one for the magpie!

Day At the Park

 Today was a warm  (0C) day, sunny and nice. Time to take the dogs to the dog park for exercise. Daphne was right into the running and playing.

 Brooklyn was a little laid back at first. " I am 7 years old. Do I have to play with a 4 year old whipper snapper?"

 Well, maybe. It might just be fun!

 Daphne: Come on. lets play!

 Me: OK, games on.

 Brooklyn: I may be big, but I am also slow!

 Daphne: Give it up, I can do circles around you

 Brooklyn: I can beat you laying down

 Daphne: Come on, get up and fight!

 Brooklyn: OK, but no ear biting!

 Daphne: I can out wrestle you, if I can only tip you over.

 Brooklyn: In your dreams, Daffy!

 Me: Looks like a draw!

 Daphne: Can I go home now?

Getting to Feel At Home

 Me: What are you doing on the furniture? Not allowed!

 Daphne: Sleeping! Or trying to.

The floor is not as comfortable! What do you think I am? A dog, or something?

Guess I will go and play with my bestest friend, Brooklyn.

 We get along pretty good, as long as I leave her toys alone!

Meet Daphne

Daphne is a 4 year old Rough Collie that was up for adoption at IWOSS in Edmonton. We kind of liked her picture and description, so drove in yesterday to meet her Foster Mom. Amanda was very helpful, and we elected to bring Daphne home.

 She is small sized for a Collie, but has a great temperament. She and Brooklyn hit it off until the Grand Kids came over and Brooklyn went super possessive. She snarled and snapped and flattened Daphne. No harm was done and 2 minutes later both were playing.

 She has taken to Elaine very well and is busy exploring the house and yard.

All in all it looks like a very good fit to our town living. Brooklyn is no longer moping and seems to have come out of the depression caused by Boot's passing.

Update on the Big Move!

It's hard to believe that Elaine and I have been off the Acreage for almost a year!
 I am happy to report that her heath has improved a lot! Praise God! Elaine is now walking without a cane, or walker and is back to work 2 to 3 days a week helping other people cope with their problems.

There are some pros and cons to the move.

The first thing is that the work load for both of us is way down. On the other hand, I still miss my horses. A lot!

When I go and police the yard I end up with 2 grocery bags of land mines (from the dogs) instead of 5 wheelbarrows from the horses. (Per week)

It's far easier to get to town for groceries and stuff. The downside is we go shopping more often and spend more money.

The costs of maintaining the house and property are way down. No tractor to repair. No fences to fix from the moose. No off road events due to icy roads etc. On the other hand, see shopping above.

In both places there are photography opportunities galore. The town critters seem to be a lot smaller. I miss my resident moose and deer though.

The BIG bonfire was an annual event. In town, I took out the fire pit as it was too close to the buildings and it was not the same.

We miss seeing people we got to know well, but we have met others to fill in. There are good people in both places.

It's a lot easier to go for coffee when it's only a kilometer to go instead of eight. Nothing has really changed though as the acceptance by the good-old-boys (Rednecks) is still marginal even though we have been in the area for 14 years.

The Millar Center is real close and they have a hot tub and steam room, plus a lot of things I don't use such as the weight room, the running track, the exercise machines all of which could take the place of the work around the Acreage, tree cutting, poop scooping , snow plowing root popping etc. It's free to me as a "Super Senior". Gee, I don't feel that old! It's easier to grab a coffee then head over for a soak.

Instead of exercising the dogs by taking them horse back riding, I get to do it by walking which is probably good for me. At times I "walked" up to 9 dogs at a time on the Acreage.

All in all, it's been a good move, but did I mention that I miss my horses, a lot?

The End

for now!

What's Worse Than Gophers?

Boots started it and Brooklyn quickly picked up that the ground down below is cooler.

 I think I hit a rock!

 There is nothing like a belly hole! (a BIG belly hole)

 Solid comfort.

 Nope, Boots is not dead, but if it happens, all I have to do is fill in the hole.

Forgive us, Dad?   Maybe I can lend them out to an excavator company!