Doggo and I have plans to take a road trip.
Yup, we're going west to chase pheasants in South Dakota along with some of our pals. This will be her third trip and who knows what it is for me. Three dogs later I've lost track.
Most days our walk now includes a shell vest for me and Mr. Browning accompanies us. You just might have an opportunity to shoot something for dinner.
For the dog it's mostly about the routine. She knows that as soon as I go for my boots the pacing begins. Donning a shell vest the pacing intensifies. Strapping-on the e-collar is further confirmation. Grabbing Mr. Browning from the bench leads to a rush for the door.
Wisconsin's pheasant opener is in a couple of weeks. Between now and then there is a possibility of kicking up a grouse, doodle bird or wing shooting some doves.
Which is why The Frau calls it hunting. If it was easy it would be called shopping.
Meanwhile, from Friday's walk there was this.
I'm not sure if Ruby is laughing or grinning...
Our dogs have always taken to water. Our big black Lab famously liked to swim in the big pond before the ice was completely out. The blonde Lab wouldn't stay out of the creek; and if she got close to a lake it was all over. Our field red golden retriever has continued the tradition embracing mud season with such gusto that she's earned the nickname: Swamp Collie.
The best part of it is now that it's warmed-up last month we hauled-out her pool and set it up on the patio. If she returns from a walk all muddy and gross in the pool she goes!
Rinse and repeat.
I am told that it is meteorological spring here; where I live half-way between the equator and the North Pole.
In the Northern Hemisphere this is defined as the three-month period of March, April and May - commencing on March 1 and ending on May 31. It is used by meteorologists and climatologists to align seasons with annual temperature cycles and to simplify the collection of weather data instead of using the varying dates of the astronomical equinox like the rest of us nerdy stargazers do. But I digress.
What I know for sure is that when you score a 60F day you take your canine sidekick out for a run and let her explore the melting edges of the ice-covered pond and creek.
For sure it is Mud Season after all...
When our doggo has her On/Off switch in the Off position she is most certainly off.
Whether it is at the end of the day sprawled on the couch getting toasted in front of the fire;
or basking in the warmth of an early morning sunbeam.
That big yawn says she's all business.
Don't poke sleeping dogs.
At this age if you go out of your way to wake them from a nap they think you'll want to go outside and play.
Sunny with the temperature reaching a scorching high of 28F yesterday.
....whitetail dinner.
Pan-seared backyard venison (rare to medium), baked yam and freshly-picked spargel from the kitchen garden.
Pretty decent chow if you can get it.
Pro Tip: Rub your taters, yams and other tubers in bacon drippings before a hot bake in the convection oven. Trust me.....
This is the third upland retriever we've trained. And one of the things our doggo really loves is going to doggy daycare. Better yet; staying there for boarding. Yes, boarding. For days and weeks on end.
Early-on we seized-on the opportunity to socialize this dog with other of her species and as a consequence this pooch loves going to Red River Canine LLC to hang with her pack.
Recently,I had to have outpatient eye surgery in Green Bay and as a consequence doggo scored a couple-three days at the Dog Spa to run with her pack. Topped-off with a pedicure and a coif from the groomer before returning home.
It's a dog's life....
Doggo absolutely loves going to the kennel - for either a daycare day at the spa or an extended boarding if we're traveling or out of town.
Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare. And because our red bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good. She burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends and get away from it all.
I'd bet that for her it is how I felt as a kid and got a chance to go away for day camp or one or more weeks at a time to scout or church camp.
Last weekend she got the boarding treatment and following that a day-off while I taught a class.
Photos from the kennel's Face Book page. Except the last one - all tuckered-out....
Ruby in the rain garden
It's mud season around these parts and if you're a dog owner like me you know the struggle is real. The good news is that it's warm enough and easy enough to hose-off the pooch after the daily walk reducing the amount of actual real mud added to the supply of dirty dog towels.
On a recent overnight to the Naked City Doggo scored a couple of days at the dog spa. Doggie Day Care between you and me.
There's hardly nothing she doesn't like more than running with her pack of canine homies.
Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare. And because our red
bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away
from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good. She
burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends, get along with
others and we catch a break for a day to spend with family
Dropped her-off on the way out of town. Picked her up on the way home before COB.
That dog with the curly white coat is Mick. Ruby and Mick first met last spring during puppy class. They've become fast friends and seek each other out at every day care opportunity.
Thick as thieves they are....
With the exception of the last photo all images are from the Red River Face Book page.
If you are a sporting breed and have been running around, burying the needle, at full tilt then eventually the Off Switch gets flipped.
And because you are still a puppy there is one of your favorite plush toys - Mr. Fennec Fox....
Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare. And because our red bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good. She burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends, get along with others and we catch a break for a day to square-away a class, projects and chores.
Dropped her-off Saturday morning for an overnight; photos from the kennel's Face Book page.....
Plowed, blown and shoveled out.
Officially, 8” on Friday, another 5” yesterday and 3" overnight.
I’m calling it snowshoe depth.
My dog is insane about snow……
Got together for a Sibling Day with Jill's side of the family last week. Consequently, Doggo scored a day at the spa. Doggie Day Care between you and me.
There's hardly nothing she doesn't like more than running with her pack of canine homies.
Red River K9 offers boarding, grooming, training and daycare. And because our red
bundle of energy is in her formative years an opportunity to be away
from us, socialize with other dogs and run with her pack is good. She
burns-off some energy, learns to make new doggie friends, get along with
others and we catch a break for a day to spend with family
Dropped her-off on the way out of town. Picked her up on the way home before COB.
That dog with the curly white coat is Mick. Ruby and Mick first met last spring during puppy class. They've become fast friends and seek each other out at every day care opportunity. Thick as thieves they are....
If you rise early enough for breakfast then following a trip to the yard for a potty break you can stretch out on your dog bed and soak-up the morning sunshine.
It's a dog's Life.....
The doggo and I got a pretty good gig going for us. Step outta the house and there’s
approximately 3.5 miles of trails to walk. Better yet, the pup doesn’t
have to wear a lead and I don’t get dragged along behind one. All she
wears is her hunting e-collar just in case. Our walks are free range and à la carte.
North of a year and a half-old Ruby has certainly matured. Of course
that’s relative as she’s still stuck somewhere between puppyhood and
solid adulthood. Nevertheless, she follows voice commands and generally
sticks close. If I stop to examine something I’m curious about she’ll
wait for me to catch-up. Conversely, if she’s after something of
interest, her bell is a good cue as to her whereabouts. And she returns
when summoned.
The other day we checked-out the prairie habitat north of the house. This stuff
is absolutely not indigenous peninsula habitat; but it’s good wildlife
cover and it’s our property so we plant what we like.
This is excellent pollinator habitat three seasons of the year so it
attracts a lot of birds. In the fourth season of winter it is terrific
cover for overwintering birds and other critters.
Those grasses and forbs that have been blown-down in the photo were
about six feet tall at their prime. Tumbled-over they form thousands of
hollow cavities and caves at ground level. When covered by snow these
become snug animal igloos.
Sure enough - thermal cover for the birds and other critters to hunker down and hide from the wind and snow. Predators too.
Now play Where’s Waldo and find the dog in the photo…
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