Hi All,
Following Baron's latest brush with the veterinarian, I bought him snow boots, which made me feel utterly ridiculous - boots for a dog? Baron felt even more ridiculous, but not for long, because the boots were soon airborne, without Baron (thank goodness). He did look cute in his Manalo Blahniks; just kidding, they were too feminine. I bought Uggs for Baron (still kidding).
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get the snow boots to stay on an active dog? Our new dog park game is "find the boots before Baron can play keep-away with them."
All for now,
Botswain
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wipe out
Hi All,
Baron had his 2nd ever play date on Friday. Baron met his new good friend (perhaps only friend), Barcley, at the Kid's Park. They had a blast. Barcley also repressed the fact that he is neutered, and he and Baron rolled in the snow - something they both seemed to enjoy. They played tag, chase, hide and go seek, and ended with a rousing game of "tackle the humans".
We called it quits after an hour, and Baron and I headed to the bank, where until Friday, Baron was always a welcome guest.
At the bank, I glanced down at the carpeting and saw - BLOOD!!! Lots of blood. Dear readers, I do not do well with blood, in fact, I get a little hysterical (OK - more than a little). I was especially hysterical that the blood was obviously Baron's. You may recall that Baron has an autoimmune disease and everything becomes a big deal. We went from the bank to the veterinarian's. Fortunately, it is a superficial cut, and Dr. Wagner put neon green and "yucky tasting" tape on him. If you look carefully at the picture, you can see the green tape and the blood (ugh).
Baron is quite proud. He is convinced that his wipe out at the park means he competed in the Olympics, and Baron being Baron, he is sure he won a trophy!
All for now.
Botswain
PS
I am having difficulty with editing my blog - especially the photos. If anyone knows how to do this, please fill me in.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Westminster Dog Show
Hi All,
Dear readers, you might have been watching the 2010 Olympics, but here at Poodle Place the big competition on TV was the Westminster Dog Show. While a toy poodle won "Best in Class" at the Westminster Dog Show, it was a Scottie who won "Best in Show." I asked a friend how a judge could possibly determine "best in show" when evaluating several breeds. She commented on the importance of the dog's engaging personality and enthusiasm.
Upon hearing this, I have decided Baron can compete in dog shows! Let's face it dear reader, no dog could possibly be more outgoing than Baron. He will enthusiastically jump on the judges (if he likes them), thus expressing his winning personality ("winning" might be a misnomer). As long as "good behavior" is not a criterion, he'll be fine. Actually, the winning Scottie did jump on his handler. A Scottie weighs less than Baron, but it is the same expression of enthusiasm. It is not fair that a larger dog should be judged differently - it is size discrimination!
See you at the show,
Botswain
Dear readers, you might have been watching the 2010 Olympics, but here at Poodle Place the big competition on TV was the Westminster Dog Show. While a toy poodle won "Best in Class" at the Westminster Dog Show, it was a Scottie who won "Best in Show." I asked a friend how a judge could possibly determine "best in show" when evaluating several breeds. She commented on the importance of the dog's engaging personality and enthusiasm.
Upon hearing this, I have decided Baron can compete in dog shows! Let's face it dear reader, no dog could possibly be more outgoing than Baron. He will enthusiastically jump on the judges (if he likes them), thus expressing his winning personality ("winning" might be a misnomer). As long as "good behavior" is not a criterion, he'll be fine. Actually, the winning Scottie did jump on his handler. A Scottie weighs less than Baron, but it is the same expression of enthusiasm. It is not fair that a larger dog should be judged differently - it is size discrimination!
See you at the show,
Botswain
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Children's Park
Hi All,
Baron has been home from Boot Camp for 5 days, and there is still marked improvement in his behavior. He is more polite, and rather than jumping in my lap, he drapes his 70 pounds over my lap; it's much more considerate, don't you agree?
Unfortunately, we are still having "issues" with dog park behavior, which is particularly interesting because I haven't taken him to a dog park. I had the not-so-brilliant idea of taking Baron to a fenced in children's park. It is vacant in the winter, because at 20 degrees with 8 inches of snow, in our neighborhood no self-respecting parent would let their child outside. For us it's ideal because Baron would be the only dog in a small, confined space.
Here is what happened: Baron entered the kid's park with his usual exuberance. He ran around, searching for other dogs; upon finding none, he searched for me. I was hiding behind the large toy train. He quickly located me, and Baron and I then ran up and down the ramp which composes the interior of the train. Well, Baron ran, I was stepping gingerly so as not to injure my bad knee. Once Baron tired of this sport he switched to his favorite game "Grab the Glove". Unfortunately the glove he tried to grab was not only mine, but was placed on my frozen hand. I resorted to a quick game of "keep-away" as in "keep the glove away from Baron so my hand will stay warm." After we both tired of this game, Baron looked longingly at the swings with an expectation that I place him in the swing and push him. Let's face it, even I have my limitations as to what I will do for my dear dog.
Unfortunately, when it was time to leave (i.e. I had had enough "fun"), Baron, like most children (which he is not - his is a dog, in case you forgot) did not want to leave. He refused to let me place his lovely "gentle leader" collar on, and instead was on his stomache with his haunches in the air in his typical "let's play" position. I was standing there trying to disguise my frustration (not to mention - I was freezing!). I put the gentle leader in my pocket and took out the agility leash. For the uninformed, the agility leash is basically a rope (mine is red) which loops easily around the dog's head; hence it becomes both a leash and collar. It even has a handle. Baron quickly grabbed the handle and played his 2nd favorite game, "tug of war." I tired of this game after about 5 seconds and grabbed the ingrate's collar, put the damned agility leash on and took him to the car. I did not have fun.
Dear Readers, I'll bet you can't wait to run out and get your very own standard poodle.
Botswain
PS
While Baron and I were at the Children's Park, several people stopped their cars to watch and chuckle. I like to think Baron and I are doing our part to brighten up a cold, gray winter's dayl.
Baron has been home from Boot Camp for 5 days, and there is still marked improvement in his behavior. He is more polite, and rather than jumping in my lap, he drapes his 70 pounds over my lap; it's much more considerate, don't you agree?
Unfortunately, we are still having "issues" with dog park behavior, which is particularly interesting because I haven't taken him to a dog park. I had the not-so-brilliant idea of taking Baron to a fenced in children's park. It is vacant in the winter, because at 20 degrees with 8 inches of snow, in our neighborhood no self-respecting parent would let their child outside. For us it's ideal because Baron would be the only dog in a small, confined space.
Here is what happened: Baron entered the kid's park with his usual exuberance. He ran around, searching for other dogs; upon finding none, he searched for me. I was hiding behind the large toy train. He quickly located me, and Baron and I then ran up and down the ramp which composes the interior of the train. Well, Baron ran, I was stepping gingerly so as not to injure my bad knee. Once Baron tired of this sport he switched to his favorite game "Grab the Glove". Unfortunately the glove he tried to grab was not only mine, but was placed on my frozen hand. I resorted to a quick game of "keep-away" as in "keep the glove away from Baron so my hand will stay warm." After we both tired of this game, Baron looked longingly at the swings with an expectation that I place him in the swing and push him. Let's face it, even I have my limitations as to what I will do for my dear dog.
Unfortunately, when it was time to leave (i.e. I had had enough "fun"), Baron, like most children (which he is not - his is a dog, in case you forgot) did not want to leave. He refused to let me place his lovely "gentle leader" collar on, and instead was on his stomache with his haunches in the air in his typical "let's play" position. I was standing there trying to disguise my frustration (not to mention - I was freezing!). I put the gentle leader in my pocket and took out the agility leash. For the uninformed, the agility leash is basically a rope (mine is red) which loops easily around the dog's head; hence it becomes both a leash and collar. It even has a handle. Baron quickly grabbed the handle and played his 2nd favorite game, "tug of war." I tired of this game after about 5 seconds and grabbed the ingrate's collar, put the damned agility leash on and took him to the car. I did not have fun.
Dear Readers, I'll bet you can't wait to run out and get your very own standard poodle.
Botswain
PS
While Baron and I were at the Children's Park, several people stopped their cars to watch and chuckle. I like to think Baron and I are doing our part to brighten up a cold, gray winter's dayl.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Baron - Rude?????
Hi All,
I just returned from a relaxing vacation in Florida, while Baron attended Boot Camp. He was at his trainer's (Denise) home for an entire week, and I think it actually helped, although his report card was a little disappointing.
Denise thinks Baron is rude! Fellow poodle lovers, this is hard to believe. Denise doesn't appreciate it when Baron jumps on her after she has been away from him for a significant amount of time (10 minutes) he is expressing affectionn not rudeness. She also said that while Baron is not aggressive with other dogs, he does instigate disagreements amongst his peers. She considers his behavior "inappropriate"! Can you imagine that? Baron inappropriate? OK he does like to mount other dogs (males and females alike), but he repressed the fact that he is neutered. Denise suggested that he continue to visit the dog park, but only a small one, and only with one other dog in attendance. Perhaps Denise should tell that to Baron.
I must admit that Baron's behavior has improved. He doesn't jump on me upon my return, he doesn't try to push past me down the stairs, and he listens when I tell him to "wait." Unfortunately, he still sleeps on my bed at night, but he looks so cute in his pale green PJ's with the navy blue mailmen, I don't have the heart to send him away.
All for now,
Botswain
PS
Of course, he has only been home for one day. We have to see what day 2 is like.
I just returned from a relaxing vacation in Florida, while Baron attended Boot Camp. He was at his trainer's (Denise) home for an entire week, and I think it actually helped, although his report card was a little disappointing.
Denise thinks Baron is rude! Fellow poodle lovers, this is hard to believe. Denise doesn't appreciate it when Baron jumps on her after she has been away from him for a significant amount of time (10 minutes) he is expressing affectionn not rudeness. She also said that while Baron is not aggressive with other dogs, he does instigate disagreements amongst his peers. She considers his behavior "inappropriate"! Can you imagine that? Baron inappropriate? OK he does like to mount other dogs (males and females alike), but he repressed the fact that he is neutered. Denise suggested that he continue to visit the dog park, but only a small one, and only with one other dog in attendance. Perhaps Denise should tell that to Baron.
I must admit that Baron's behavior has improved. He doesn't jump on me upon my return, he doesn't try to push past me down the stairs, and he listens when I tell him to "wait." Unfortunately, he still sleeps on my bed at night, but he looks so cute in his pale green PJ's with the navy blue mailmen, I don't have the heart to send him away.
All for now,
Botswain
PS
Of course, he has only been home for one day. We have to see what day 2 is like.
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