Hi All,
Baron's tutor (he dislikes the work "trainer") visited us this week. Obviously it was not a social call. Dearest Readers, you will never believe this, but Tutor #6 thinks yours truly (that would be me) does not respond to Baron in a calm manner. WHAT??? Me, not calm? That hard to believe! Just because my voice squeaks a bit when I address Baron, my body might twitch or jiggle, and I do have that nervous laugh which appears when Baron doesn't have his hearing aids on...
Oops, got to go.
Botswain
PS
I was joking about the hearing aids - but maybe I should have Baron's hearing checked.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
The Afikoman Revisited
Hi All,
Apparently Baron was embarrassed by his inability to find the Afikoman on his first try at our Seder. When Master and I returned home from dinner last night, we discovered that in his enthusiasm to locate the Afikoman, he located the entire unopened box of Matzoh, opened it, and graciously left one piece (the Afikoman, he assumed) for us. Is he a smart dog or what?
Hope your holidays are proceeding less chaotically than ours!
Botswain
Apparently Baron was embarrassed by his inability to find the Afikoman on his first try at our Seder. When Master and I returned home from dinner last night, we discovered that in his enthusiasm to locate the Afikoman, he located the entire unopened box of Matzoh, opened it, and graciously left one piece (the Afikoman, he assumed) for us. Is he a smart dog or what?
Hope your holidays are proceeding less chaotically than ours!
Botswain
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Happy Holidays
Hi All,
We hosted last night's Passover Seder. Baron actually behaved himself! We did not need to call the police to report food missing from our plates - all went well. As there were no children in attendance, Baron had the honor of searching for the Afikoman. This was a difficult task, as I had cleverly put the Afikoman in a plastic bag and covered it with the requisite linen. It was hidden in Baron's toy basket. One of our guests pointed out that Baron would be unable to find the Afikoman until it was removed from the plastic bag, as even a poodle as smart as Baron can't smell through plastic. This was a good point, and Baron was rewarded with a duck and potato (see previous blog entries re: Baron's diet) dog treat for locating the Afikoman.
That's all for today. Happy Passover or Easter - take your pick.
Botswain
We hosted last night's Passover Seder. Baron actually behaved himself! We did not need to call the police to report food missing from our plates - all went well. As there were no children in attendance, Baron had the honor of searching for the Afikoman. This was a difficult task, as I had cleverly put the Afikoman in a plastic bag and covered it with the requisite linen. It was hidden in Baron's toy basket. One of our guests pointed out that Baron would be unable to find the Afikoman until it was removed from the plastic bag, as even a poodle as smart as Baron can't smell through plastic. This was a good point, and Baron was rewarded with a duck and potato (see previous blog entries re: Baron's diet) dog treat for locating the Afikoman.
That's all for today. Happy Passover or Easter - take your pick.
Botswain
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Greeting
Hi All,
I recently watched videos of family dogs greeting servicemen who returned home from combat. It was touching to watch these loving dogs jumping, crying, even hugging their masters when they saw them for the first time. I hate to brag, folks, but that is the greeting I receive from Baron when I return home after spending fifteen minutes at the grocery store. He must liken grocery shopping to combat (not even close - unless there is a sale). He is equally enthusiastic when I return home from the drug store or from retrieving the newspaper from the end of the driveway (note: Baron does not retrieve the paper, he prefers to wait indoors where it is warm and dry).
Do I have one special dog or what?
Botswain
I recently watched videos of family dogs greeting servicemen who returned home from combat. It was touching to watch these loving dogs jumping, crying, even hugging their masters when they saw them for the first time. I hate to brag, folks, but that is the greeting I receive from Baron when I return home after spending fifteen minutes at the grocery store. He must liken grocery shopping to combat (not even close - unless there is a sale). He is equally enthusiastic when I return home from the drug store or from retrieving the newspaper from the end of the driveway (note: Baron does not retrieve the paper, he prefers to wait indoors where it is warm and dry).
Do I have one special dog or what?
Botswain
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Horse Update
Hi All
All of us here at Poodle Place appreciate most animals (certain rodents not included), but are particularly fond of horses. Baron has a lifelong wish to play with horses which is further evidence of his nonverbal learning disability. He just doesn't understand size differences. He is particularly motivated to hang out with horses because he recognizes the love his beloved employee (that would be me) has for them.
I actually had a riding lesson last week in which I learned 4 important things.
1) Do not get into a discussion of catastrophic equestrian accidents in the middle of a lesson; this impairs concentration (never my strong suit).
2) When your trainer, after her beloved student decided not to jump the 2nd jump in a line at the last minute (response time also not a strength), wants to practice a quick turn after the first jump, do not, once again, turn away from the 2nd jump at the last minute. This makes both horse and trainer very nervous.
3) When your trainer, in the interest of helping her beloved student (who by now is not so beloved) drills you on turning away from the problem while still avoiding the 2nd jump, do not turn in her direction.Trainers get really cranky when you turn towards them on a cantering horse. To be fair, my trainer said, "Didn't you see me standing here against the wall?" I did see her, but didn't understand why she was standing there putting her life in jeopardy. It never occurred to me to turn towards the center of the ring. I thought my trainer was being foolhardy.
4) The horse who accompanied me on the aforementioned unfortunate incident earned extra treats. The trainer earned either a bottle of wine or a bloody Mary at the next barn lunch, in addition to an increase in her life insurance policy!
All for now,
Botswain
All of us here at Poodle Place appreciate most animals (certain rodents not included), but are particularly fond of horses. Baron has a lifelong wish to play with horses which is further evidence of his nonverbal learning disability. He just doesn't understand size differences. He is particularly motivated to hang out with horses because he recognizes the love his beloved employee (that would be me) has for them.
I actually had a riding lesson last week in which I learned 4 important things.
1) Do not get into a discussion of catastrophic equestrian accidents in the middle of a lesson; this impairs concentration (never my strong suit).
2) When your trainer, after her beloved student decided not to jump the 2nd jump in a line at the last minute (response time also not a strength), wants to practice a quick turn after the first jump, do not, once again, turn away from the 2nd jump at the last minute. This makes both horse and trainer very nervous.
3) When your trainer, in the interest of helping her beloved student (who by now is not so beloved) drills you on turning away from the problem while still avoiding the 2nd jump, do not turn in her direction.Trainers get really cranky when you turn towards them on a cantering horse. To be fair, my trainer said, "Didn't you see me standing here against the wall?" I did see her, but didn't understand why she was standing there putting her life in jeopardy. It never occurred to me to turn towards the center of the ring. I thought my trainer was being foolhardy.
4) The horse who accompanied me on the aforementioned unfortunate incident earned extra treats. The trainer earned either a bottle of wine or a bloody Mary at the next barn lunch, in addition to an increase in her life insurance policy!
All for now,
Botswain
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Health Scare
Hi All,
We had a health scare here at Poodle place. Baron has, despite our best efforts (not his), once again gained weight. Also, there is a slight film over his eyes which does not impair vision and is no big deal (thank heavens) except it is sometimes associated with hypothyroidism. The vet had to do a blood test (not inexpensive, but nothing about Baron is inexpensive) to rule out hypothyroidism, which is easily controlled with medication.
As you might imagine, the possibility not only of another health problem, but of giving Baron a pill to speed up his metabolism (read all previous posts for information on Baron's metabolism) put me in a tailspin, so to speak. Visitors to our home have actually complimented me on the improvement in Baron's behavior. One guest noted approvingly that Baron no longer jumps over the couches, then skids across the floor, followed by a cartwheel as part of his enthusiastic welcome.
The good news is that Baron's thyroid is normal (at least something about Baron is normal). The bad news is that Baron now weighs 76 pounds and has to watch his boyish figure.
All for now,
Botswain
We had a health scare here at Poodle place. Baron has, despite our best efforts (not his), once again gained weight. Also, there is a slight film over his eyes which does not impair vision and is no big deal (thank heavens) except it is sometimes associated with hypothyroidism. The vet had to do a blood test (not inexpensive, but nothing about Baron is inexpensive) to rule out hypothyroidism, which is easily controlled with medication.
As you might imagine, the possibility not only of another health problem, but of giving Baron a pill to speed up his metabolism (read all previous posts for information on Baron's metabolism) put me in a tailspin, so to speak. Visitors to our home have actually complimented me on the improvement in Baron's behavior. One guest noted approvingly that Baron no longer jumps over the couches, then skids across the floor, followed by a cartwheel as part of his enthusiastic welcome.
The good news is that Baron's thyroid is normal (at least something about Baron is normal). The bad news is that Baron now weighs 76 pounds and has to watch his boyish figure.
All for now,
Botswain
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Mistaken Identity
Hi All,
Once again, Baron has mistaken my belongings for his - specifically my ivory figurines for his own personal (who else would want them?) bones. I will spare you the details, other than to say I am extremely displeased. Baron has been reprimanded. He no longer has the run of the house and will have to spend more time in the kitchen - let's face it, it is a lovely room, someone should enjoy it!
Grumpily yours,
Botswain
Once again, Baron has mistaken my belongings for his - specifically my ivory figurines for his own personal (who else would want them?) bones. I will spare you the details, other than to say I am extremely displeased. Baron has been reprimanded. He no longer has the run of the house and will have to spend more time in the kitchen - let's face it, it is a lovely room, someone should enjoy it!
Grumpily yours,
Botswain
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