Thankful

Hi All,
We have a lot to be thankful this year. We are lucky to live the lives we live with the people and pets we cherish. I thought a lot about that on Thanksgiving Day as I brought the cocktail franks to the extra-high table (extra-high to deter you-know-who, but it also deterred anyone shorter than 5 feet). OK, I admit Baron can be a bit of a nuisance, but I am thankful to have such a loving exuberant dog who brightens up when I enter the room. I am not thankful for the beating my Cuisinart has taken; yes, he did it again - the Cuisinart - the entire Cuisinart was, once again in Baron's toy basket.
On Thanksgiving Day, one thoughtful guest brought Baron a gift. As you can see in this photo it is a magician's hat with a rabbit inside. What you can't see is that there are 2 other rabbits in the hat. This is a "thinking" game for Baron, he has to figure out that the one rabbit has company. Not only hasn't he figured that out, he has decided that he is already a magician - he can make our cuisinart disappear (unfortunately)!
All for now. I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and perhaps less frenetic than ours.
Thankfully yours,
Botswain

Therapy dog revisited

Hi All,
I have given serious thought to signing Baron up for the test which certifies therapy dogs. I know, this is probably shocking news for you. It certainly shocked Baron when I told him, not to mention the numerous humans who know him well(too well). It was pointed out to me that therapy dogs do not jump (or even pounce) on people, nor do they attempt to engage their fellow canines in play while on the job. This will not deter me - after all, no one is perfect (except for myself of course)!
Therapeutically yours,
Botswain

Baron is officially 3 years old!!!

Hi All,

Baron is a bit disappointed that he did not receive any (and I do mean any) of the items on his birthday wish list. No duck dinner with cherry sauce, no elevator, no squirrel in a cage, no female poodle (never mind that one).
Unfortunately, in anticipation of a gift, Baron eagerly and enthusiastically pounced (as in jumped) on 2 visitors to our home. This did not have the desired effect, as they were still not inclined to rush out and buy him a duck dinner in cherry sauce.
I calmed Baron down by pointing out that he already has duck twice a day (breakfast and dinner) - and cherry sauce is overrated. As for the squirrel, that part of the fun of having a squirrel is chasing it, and he does that daily in our yard; hence he doesn't need an elevator or a ladder, and will just have to learn how to climb a tree (he is working on it). Also, he already has numerous squirrels - see previously mentioned yard for details. As for the female poodle - he will have to flirt when the opportunity presents itself. Unfortunately, from the brief study Baron has conducted, it appears that female poodles do not enjoy being pounced on, barked at or nudged. At this rate, Baron may remain a bachelor.
All for now,
Botswain

Dizzy

Hi All,
Yesterday was quite the day. While exiting my car in Mom's driveway, I felt something nudge me - it was an elderly yellow lab. Why didn't I notice him in the driveway? He was yellow and blended in perfectly with the autumn leaves. Thankfully he had a dog tag with his name (Dizzy - I kid you not), his owner's cell (no, she didn't answer - despite repeated attempts) and his street. When I couldn't contact his owner, I put Dizzy in my car; not easy - did I mention that he is quite overweight? He makes Baron at 71 pounds a light weight. I drove to his street, got him out of the car (also not easy), put Baron's leash on him, and began to look for his house. Silly me - I thought he'd lead me straight home. Nope.
After visiting 10 bushes, three trees and one fire hydrant, I could tell this plan wasn't working (did I mention my intellect?). I started ringing door bells. The woman in the 2nd house asked to see the dog tag and cleverly noticed a street address (did I mention my intellect?)! I brought Dizzy to his own front door, which was answered by a woman who could say 2 phrases in English: "I Babysitter" and "No speak English". This was not helpful, particularly as she wouldn't open the door, so poor Dizzy (and yours truly) was left out in the dark. I pushed the door a bit, exposing Dizzy, who was happily wagging his tail. She looked at him in total amazement, obviously unaware that he had left home and walked one mile (quite slowly, I would imagine) to make a new friend (that would be me). She was also able to say a heart felt "Thank you."
I am happy to report that Dizzy and his Ditzy rescuer are doing well.
That's all,
Botswain

Tomorrow is the Day

Hi All,
Baron is soooo excited about his birthday tomorrow. For those who have not yet purchased a gift, Baron has refined his wish list.
1) Elevator - Baron thought an elevator would be an improvement over a ladder or acorn costume. This way he can easily reach the treetops without exertion.
2) Forget all of the above and just give him his very own squirrel. Hint: the squirrel must be alive and caged. He does not want a free range squirrel actually on the range. I tried giving him a stuffed squirrel, but after 10 minutes of shaking the poor toy, he gave me a very disappointed look and pointed to the trees. I guess part of the fun is in the hunt - he just doesn't want it to be too difficult.
3) A duck. In this case Baron (and his devoted family) prefers one already cooked, in cherry sauce (due to his allergies, the sauce should not contain grain or flour). Please include instructions for reheating if it is not warm when delivered.
4)Birthday cake. We all know that chocolate is poisonous to dogs, so Baron would like a cake made of duck liver; his name should be written with potatoes.
5) A bed. He would prefer a masculine 4 poster bed with down blankets for the cold winter. Baron is used to goose down (related to ducks) as he already sleeps on several pillow goose down pillows. He wants nothing less for his own bedding.*
5) Jacket. Baron is humiliated by the warm jacket I insist he wear on frigid days. He would like a camouflage jacket with matching hat and boots (yes, dogs do wear boots or a reasonable facsimile - their paws are sensitive to snow and ice).
5)New bones. His favorite are deer antlers, preferabbly still attached to the deer.

Ok, I know you are all wondering what I am getting Baron. He requested a 2 month hiatus from visiting the beauty parlor, but that's not going to happen. I am taking him on several long walks and continuing to provide: duck and potato dog food (not inexpensive), treats as appropriate (also duck and potato), visits to his vet as necessary, dog tags, name tag, grooming, a warm bed to sleep on unless we are lucky and someone gives him a new one that he will actually use, great companionship (that would be from me personally, of course), visits to the barn to see his equine friends (from a distance), visits to the allergist if necessary (hopefully not) and any other incidentals including a full-time nanny.
I had better get busy planning the party.
Love to all,
Botswain
*Ok Ok, I added the bed and bedding - anything to give him his own space at night, which, hopefully won't overlap with mine. Next I might build a soundproof room - Baron snores. He also farts, but we won't go there.