Well it has been a while since I have posted on this blog. Time has just escaped me for some reason.
My Harry just had his third birthday in October, he is growing up to be such a big boy, still afraid of his own shadow, and I caught him actually barking at the moon the other day. Goofball.
Had our first sighting of our urban coyotes today in a long time. A young one, maybe this years pups was cruising down the back alley around late morning. With all the snow and cold I am sure they are having trouble finding food, and he missed the garbage men by one day:) He was pretty healthy looking with a huge bushy tail and neck ruff. Just trotting down the street like he owned the place. Good thing that Harry wasn't out, he would still be chasing it. As it was when we went out for our walk a bit latter, he kept his nose to the ground most of the way. "Mum those are my people!" We always call him our coyote boy....
I will try to post more often, but it might be hit and miss.
Saturday, 29 November 2014
Friday, 11 October 2013
Urban Chickens
These are my neighbors girls, or at least were. After five years and three roosters, someone squealed like a pig on her and along came not the big bad wolf, but someone far worse, BYLAW!
She has had numerous hens and from time to time a rooster. It is a 50/50 chance that there will be at least one boy in the mix of chicks, and at that stage, being fluffy and yellow they all look alike. She never kept the boys for long and found them a good home. We did have this one rooster that apparently needed a lesson in time telling and crowing. He would crow at any time except dawn and it always sounded like he had sore throat. It was quite pathetic and strangely amusing at the same time.
Now for those naysayers out there, the girls were not messy, loud or smelly. They were just chickens going about their day to day routine of scratching, routing, and eating everything in sight, including my neighbours garden. During any other season then summer, they were completely free range, much to the chagrin of Harry, who upon seeing them didn't quite know what they were but somehow how to get a closer look. He did actually get a mouth full of tail feathers once. I don't know who was more startled, the dog or the hens. No one was worse for wear! During gardening season the hens were confined to a rather palatial spot in the middle of the garden.
Now having urban chickens has it advantages, fresh eggs (more on that later), a source of kitchen scrap removal and the pleasant cooing and clucking when working outside. The eggs are wonderful, a yolk that practically glows in the dark, a good thing really, compared to the wimpy yolks of store bought battery hens. There is nothing that compares to the taste of fresh still warm from hatching eggs. In the winter I don't compose, but bring my kitchen scraps over to the girls and they love every morsel of them. I once started a hen war with a few over ripe strawberries, it was not pretty!
And what about those that are opposed to urban chickens saying that they bring predators around, we live in coyote alley and never have I've seen a coyote in the yard going after the girls, or an hawk or owl. We do have coyotes in the back alleys but it is the garbage that my other nieghbours have left out and not properly done up. Don't get me started on that.
So after all this time some big wig in bylaw after a complaint from a neighbor and we have had no new people move in, so I really don't know where that came from, no more urban chickens, no more laughable antics from them ( they loved to take dust baths in abandoned pots on the deck) and worst of all no fresh eggs. City Hall get you head out of your you know what and wake up to the joys of urban animals!
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
May 22, 2013
There has been a weird amount of dead animals in the off leash area that we go to lately. I know of one dead bunny, Harry ate it, or tried too. And about 5 dead muskrats, two of which Harry found and if you think it is fun running through the bush chasing a dog with a mission you haven't tried it. Memo to file, dead rodents stink to high heaven. The up side is that he hasn't had a run in with the porcupine that apparently lives in the off leash, but then again we don't go down at dusk, for a good reason. Harry would be poking it with a stick and shouting at the poor thing to play with him! The joys of puppy hood. At least he isn't rolling in the dead things.
Friday, 12 April 2013
April 12, 2013
So here we sit waiting for the 25 cm of snow that is supposed to fall....springtime in Alberta! Got to love it, at least Harry and all his dog friends like the snow.
The Irrelevant Show (http://www.cbc.ca/irrelevantshow/) did a great skit on dog parks last week. The main point of it being that us, as owners have no names, just Harry's Mom or Dad. No one knows your name but everyone knows your dog, how true that is. I can name on one hand, well maybe two the people I know on a first name basis not just someone's mom or dad. The rest of the off leash we only know the dogs names. And Lord help you if you run into these people outside of the dog park. You do a double take and wonder where on earth have you seen them before, and they are doing the same thing. If someone does recognize you, then you are stuck, and have to make it up as you go along hoping that their dog's name suddenly appears in your mind.
And then there are the people that still walk in the off leash when their dogs are no longer able to make the long stairs and walk to and from.....you are afraid to approach them just in case. When Oliver got too old and couldn't walk very far, we would do our little around the block walk and then I would head off to meet up with friends in the off leash. The first couple of times people are talking to you and sort of looking over your shoulder waiting for the dog to appear, you suddenly realize what they are doing and you have to quickly say that Oliver is at home. You know they want to ask but are afraid of the answer!
Hopefully spring is on her way after this last snow fall!
The Irrelevant Show (http://www.cbc.ca/irrelevantshow/) did a great skit on dog parks last week. The main point of it being that us, as owners have no names, just Harry's Mom or Dad. No one knows your name but everyone knows your dog, how true that is. I can name on one hand, well maybe two the people I know on a first name basis not just someone's mom or dad. The rest of the off leash we only know the dogs names. And Lord help you if you run into these people outside of the dog park. You do a double take and wonder where on earth have you seen them before, and they are doing the same thing. If someone does recognize you, then you are stuck, and have to make it up as you go along hoping that their dog's name suddenly appears in your mind.
And then there are the people that still walk in the off leash when their dogs are no longer able to make the long stairs and walk to and from.....you are afraid to approach them just in case. When Oliver got too old and couldn't walk very far, we would do our little around the block walk and then I would head off to meet up with friends in the off leash. The first couple of times people are talking to you and sort of looking over your shoulder waiting for the dog to appear, you suddenly realize what they are doing and you have to quickly say that Oliver is at home. You know they want to ask but are afraid of the answer!
Hopefully spring is on her way after this last snow fall!
Sunday, 17 March 2013
March 17, 2013
Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone!
The weather here has done a complete 380, we have been shoveling snow for three days, and not just a skiff, at least 5-6 inches a day. Harry is loving the snow, but not too sure about the shovel.
The one good thing about all the snow, the fair weather dog walkers are at home, the off leash is empty except for a few brave souls and their dogs, the cranky people that won't let their dogs play in the off leash are probably the same people that are at home. How could their dogs possibly be out in this snow and cold.
As Harry and I were enjoying a nice quite uneventful walk, I was thinking about things that make you go mmmmmmm!
-people who bring toys into the off leash and then are flabbergasted that another dog might actually want to play with the ball/frisbe/etc. When the dog gives up the toy it is fair game to any passing dog, don't want another dog playing don't bring the toy!
-people that won't let their dogs play with other dogs or for that matter any other two dogs that are playing which nether of them are theirs. I have had people step into Harry and other dogs playing and try to break them apart, saying that they are fighting. Both dogs being quite vocal, but would me and the owner just be standing around watching this if it was a fight! Well maybe if it were Micheal Vick and pals.
- people who have the dog off leash but don't want another dog coming near them and the yelling at the other owner to keep their dog away "my dog doesn't like....."Why are you down here in the first place. Put you dog on a leash and go up on the bike path.
- and then there are the people that have no dogs but are deathly afraid of all dogs who walk in the off leash and just about have a heart attack when a dog approaches them. They are right up there with the people with kids, no dogs, just kids, with food. The whole meal deal spread out on the strollers just at, guess what, dog nose height,and get mad at the dog for stealing food or licking the baby.
But having said that there are wonderful people in our off leash that make the walk a bright spot in the day for both me and Harry.
Just some things that make you go mmmmmmmmm!
The weather here has done a complete 380, we have been shoveling snow for three days, and not just a skiff, at least 5-6 inches a day. Harry is loving the snow, but not too sure about the shovel.
The one good thing about all the snow, the fair weather dog walkers are at home, the off leash is empty except for a few brave souls and their dogs, the cranky people that won't let their dogs play in the off leash are probably the same people that are at home. How could their dogs possibly be out in this snow and cold.
As Harry and I were enjoying a nice quite uneventful walk, I was thinking about things that make you go mmmmmmm!
-people who bring toys into the off leash and then are flabbergasted that another dog might actually want to play with the ball/frisbe/etc. When the dog gives up the toy it is fair game to any passing dog, don't want another dog playing don't bring the toy!
-people that won't let their dogs play with other dogs or for that matter any other two dogs that are playing which nether of them are theirs. I have had people step into Harry and other dogs playing and try to break them apart, saying that they are fighting. Both dogs being quite vocal, but would me and the owner just be standing around watching this if it was a fight! Well maybe if it were Micheal Vick and pals.
- people who have the dog off leash but don't want another dog coming near them and the yelling at the other owner to keep their dog away "my dog doesn't like....."Why are you down here in the first place. Put you dog on a leash and go up on the bike path.
- and then there are the people that have no dogs but are deathly afraid of all dogs who walk in the off leash and just about have a heart attack when a dog approaches them. They are right up there with the people with kids, no dogs, just kids, with food. The whole meal deal spread out on the strollers just at, guess what, dog nose height,and get mad at the dog for stealing food or licking the baby.
But having said that there are wonderful people in our off leash that make the walk a bright spot in the day for both me and Harry.
Just some things that make you go mmmmmmmmm!
Thursday, 21 February 2013
February 21, 2013
I have been rattling this blog around in my head for a couple of days now and it is time to put it to paper so to speak.
In a couple of days it will a year of my Oliver passing over the rainbow bridge. Some days it seems like just yesterday and some days it seems forever and I am forgetting what he looked like. Which is almost impossible as he is my wallpaper on my computer and I have countless pictures of him around the house. He was my perfect big lump of lab. And yes he was perfect, before we got him someone loved and trained him well. I know everyone says that their dog is perfect, but Ollie truly was. He was named after the British Actor Oliver Reed, which not too many people know of. His last movie was Gladiator, he was the top selling actor in Britain in the 60's and played Bill Sykes in "Oliver!" When he wasn't being the bad guy and drinking his face off in the pubs he was the perfect gentle-man, and that was my Oliver.
Oliver had lots of adventures the short time he was with me, he got to stay at Jasper Park Lodge twice, which not too many people can brag about. He got to go to Blue River and hang out at a hippy dippy pizza joint where he could even sit with mine on the patio while I had my lunch. He went to Tofino and as much as I had visions of him swimming in the ocean, he had his own ideas about that. I will remember this to the end of my time - he ran up to the water's edge all excited and proceeded to take a big gulp of water. If you don't think a dog can make a face, boy are you wrong. He steered clear of the ocean after that. It wasn't until we got to Powell River about a week later that he ventured to take another drink in a creek! He was the star of his off leash area and everyone loved him and when something happened they always responded with "that wasn't OUR Oliver" was it! He was notorious for stealing mitts, sometimes right off your hand, and in a way that you didn't even notice until you saw him running down the path with it in his mouth.
When I lost him I thought that my world would end! I would actually hear him in the house and would go looking for him. But things happen in mysterious ways. In April I went to a SCARS adoption event and met Harry. What attracted him to me was his little pink nose, which Oliver had. He didn't have a black nose like more yellow labs, except in the summer when it was tanned. In fact Harry looked a little like a miniature Oliver. I went home and cried the whole weekend. My other half on Monday said go and get him, the house is way to quiet without a dog and I can't stand that you crying all the time. Thinking that it was way too early to get another dog I went to his fantastic Foster Parents and fell in love all over with him, and he came home with me. He hated getting into the car, most SCARS dogs are petrified of cars, that lasted about a week, now he jumps in even if I getting groceries out of the car, he always want to go for a car ride.
Tattoo of Oliver`s actual foot print I got a week before he left us - it is on my left foot which the side your heart is one and now he walks with me forever
We tell Harry about his big brother all the time - "why can't you be more like Oliver", "Oliver never did this". Well he isn't Oliver he is Harry and and puppy, he was 6 months when we got him and Ollie was 5 years when he found me. I am also convinced that Oliver found Harry for us. There are pictures that I have that people have to ask whether that is Oliver or Harry. But we also tell him the good things that he has in common with his big brother - loves to lick the pot of left over mashed potatoes, loves to swim in the creek on a hot summers day, loves his walks (although we are still working on not pulling) and love to have company come over.
And this is my Harry, hanging out in his favorite place,on the couch with his momma
The one big difference is that Harry plays hard and rough and sometimes has a little booboo or a nick, if that was Oliver off to the vet I would go, but having a second dog is like having a second child, the arm has to be hanging off before we go to the doctor!
I miss my Ollie everyday, but Harry adds so much laughter to our lives that I am sure that Oliver approves because he picked him out for us!
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
February 6, 2013
Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful early February weather, although we can do without the snow that keeps falling every time it warms up!
Now that the warm weather is here for a while, the off leash is busier then ever. When it was -30 often it was just Harry and I out and about. I swear this dog has Teflon paws, he is never cold, and we are home from our walks he just wants to stay outside some more, CRAZY!
Anyway back to the off leash, for the most part everyone in our off leash is great and all the dogs get along just fine. Then there are those people and some dogs for that matter that just have to be the "hall monitor", you know the type, the dog ones bark at all the dogs that run past them or go up and bark while they are playing....it is quite funny, it is like,,,,you there no running or shouting in the halls! Then there are the people hall monitors, that not only don't let their dog have any fun what so ever, don't like to see others having fun. We were down on Saturday and Harry and his best girl Maybelle were playing, she is the best dog, a cute basset hound that just loves Harry. And they play hard! Harry will roll her, she will grab him and try to role him, they bark and growl at each other, grabbing fur and whatever else they can find. Well up comes this woman who seems to be appalled at this. Now bear in mind that Maybelle's Dad and I are watching this and laughing so hard we are practically falling down, she dives in the middle of it and tries to separate the two dogs, not matter how much we are telling her it is alright. Mind your own business, do you think we would intentionally let our dogs at each other if they were hurting each other. This is the exact same woman who will not let her dog play with the other dogs and if she tries a stop is put to it , not now but right now!
Then there are the people that just love to watch their dogs play with all the others, it is nothing but harmless fun and for the most part everyone comes away in one piece. Thank goodness Harry has almost grown out of running up to small dogs and puppies and rolling them, great fun for him and the puppy not so much for me and the other owners. But then the puppies just love it and for the most part come running back for more!
And don't even get me started on those people that bring toys to the off leash and stomp off in a huff when another dog, who shall rename nameless but first name begins with Harry tries to steal the toy. This is why God invented sticks in the off leash, they belong to no one and everyone is happy playing with them!
Now that the warm weather is here for a while, the off leash is busier then ever. When it was -30 often it was just Harry and I out and about. I swear this dog has Teflon paws, he is never cold, and we are home from our walks he just wants to stay outside some more, CRAZY!
Anyway back to the off leash, for the most part everyone in our off leash is great and all the dogs get along just fine. Then there are those people and some dogs for that matter that just have to be the "hall monitor", you know the type, the dog ones bark at all the dogs that run past them or go up and bark while they are playing....it is quite funny, it is like,,,,you there no running or shouting in the halls! Then there are the people hall monitors, that not only don't let their dog have any fun what so ever, don't like to see others having fun. We were down on Saturday and Harry and his best girl Maybelle were playing, she is the best dog, a cute basset hound that just loves Harry. And they play hard! Harry will roll her, she will grab him and try to role him, they bark and growl at each other, grabbing fur and whatever else they can find. Well up comes this woman who seems to be appalled at this. Now bear in mind that Maybelle's Dad and I are watching this and laughing so hard we are practically falling down, she dives in the middle of it and tries to separate the two dogs, not matter how much we are telling her it is alright. Mind your own business, do you think we would intentionally let our dogs at each other if they were hurting each other. This is the exact same woman who will not let her dog play with the other dogs and if she tries a stop is put to it , not now but right now!
Then there are the people that just love to watch their dogs play with all the others, it is nothing but harmless fun and for the most part everyone comes away in one piece. Thank goodness Harry has almost grown out of running up to small dogs and puppies and rolling them, great fun for him and the puppy not so much for me and the other owners. But then the puppies just love it and for the most part come running back for more!
And don't even get me started on those people that bring toys to the off leash and stomp off in a huff when another dog, who shall rename nameless but first name begins with Harry tries to steal the toy. This is why God invented sticks in the off leash, they belong to no one and everyone is happy playing with them!
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