Tale 13 - No Picnic for Lichen (continued)

To continue from last week, I couldn't run for three weeks. I could only go out for potty breaks. What was I to do for all that time. For me, it was all the same  to continue playing and running. I would just hurt a lot. Because of the pain, I had trouble keeping my head up, but to give up play and running was not on my agenda. You see I was still a young thing and that is what young things do.

My parents had other plans however. They watched me continually. First of all, from the previous tale I told you that they took me on trips in the car down to Ithaca. I liked that very  much. One day they gave me a large box and I could tear it apart on the porch. I LOVED that. The box kept me occupied for a long time. I really took pleasure in tasting the cardboard in my mouth and seeing the box become smaller and smaller. It brought a smile to my face and I forgot about my pain.

My parents gave me bully sticks. My mouth waters every time I think of them. They also taught me lots of tricks like high five, paw, roll over, stay, back, leave it etc. in a training session every evening. I caught on very quickly especially since I got a treat after each trick. I LOVE those treats.

Also my parents started playing a game called Find Cheese. I had to sit outside the mud room and wait for either my Mum and Dad to hide the cheese. I then had to find it by my nose.

Before I knew it, I was better. I don't want to go through that again.

Here I am tearing apart the box.

 

 

 

 Here is a photo of me looking for bugs which is a favorite pastime of mine

 

 

 

Another of me with a bully stick

 

 

 

A video of me finding tasty cheese.

 

 

 

Here I am rolling over for Mum. I got tired of that.

 

 

And the last video is of me Turning on a Box.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOHlVg2rT-8

 

 

 

Tale 12 - No Picnic for Lichen

Happy New Year everybody! I don't know what that means, but I heard Mummy and Daddy saying it to each other.

Well, I  have been avoiding telling this story, because just the thought of it brings back pain to me.  I LOVED the dog park so much, particularly the chase of all sorts of dogs. One day in early summer, I was having so much fun running at the dog park. There were so many dogs. I was having difficulty deciding which dog to play and run. I was flitting from one dog to the next. This dog park was especially big so I could really pick up speed. I was running around the trees which were in the shade. One very little dog caught my eye and I started running after him. We were running circles around the picnic table and kicking up dust. I only had eyes for this dog and all of a sudden WHAM I hit the broken side of the picnic table. I don't remember much but the pain was so bad. I screamed and screamed and suddenly Daddy was there holding me. I was in so much pain. My parents said the sound I was making was so horrible.

My shoulder was in such pain, but I managed to get up. Daddy and mummy were so concerned and they took me to what they call a hospital. Several people with white coats came to look at me. I was still hurting but I didn't want to show it. These people felt me all over and I was made to walk several times. I tried my best because I liked these new people.

My parents told me that I had to rest and couldn't play ball which I very much wanted to do. All I could do was go out to do my business, sleep and eat. BORING!!!! Even though I must admit eating is fun.

I then visited my vet the next day and she told my parents that I must rest for THREE WEEKS. One day is too long for me. I don't know what three weeks is but I think it is a lot of one days. The vet said I had a shoulder soft tissue injury. I said to myself I am going to be more careful next time if I ever get to run again. I think I have learned my lesson.  I have to take note of things like picnic tables while running.

My parents told me they were going to start a new program for me so that life would be more interesting without running and playing. The first thing they did was start taking me on round trips in the car down to Ithaca and the harbor. There were other things which they started doing which will take another story. So stay tuned. TO BE CONTINUED.

Here I am in the car with the windows open:

 

 

Here I am at the harbor after the ride. I couldn't take walks, runs etc. but I could look at the boats and the beautiful water.

 

 

Here I am under house rest. Hard to keep me down. I feel sorry just a little bit for my parents.

 

 

 

Here is a taste of what will happen next. Try to guess!!!

 

 

Tale 11 - First Playdate with India and Skye

I just heard that my friend Skye went to the Rainbow Bridge. I miss him every day since I moved from Upstate NY to Baltimore MD. This tale is in memory of Skye. .  My mummy told me that they were Afghan dogs and boy could they run fast. I was little compared to them and I was so excited to have them come to my house. When I saw them I just wanted to play and run. Skye took a particular liking to me so we wrestled and followed one another. India was the leader of the pack so I had to respect him. I wanted to play with India, but he wouldn't have it. He watched over Skye. One of the times I tried to come too close to Skye and I jumped high and actually went over his back. I just got up and wanted more fun. I also liked their mummy Mariann and daddy Bill.  I was very tired but happy after my first play date with them. Playing is such hard work. What great playmates they were! Skye can now play with my brother Gorky. I am sure he is having fun. India has a new brother Oz now. I think they must be the best of friends and India is watching over Oz like he did with Skye.

 

 

Here is India (in front) and Skye (in back)

 

 

Here are all three of us together looking somewhere I can't remember.

 

Here I am trying to impress the two of them. I only had eyes for the two of them. This is serious business to play.

 

What am I doing here? I wonder ha! There really is a pecking order going on here. I sure am last.

 

 

Here I am giving into Skye. I could lick him all the time. I have grown out of this, but I couldn't help it, I liked him so much.

 

 

India's smiling face.

 

 

 

Here is a link to our play together that day on youtube.com

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7sbK0t4e9s

Tale Ten - Dog Attack

Let me tell you about a dog trying to attack me when I was only three months old. Our yard was totally fenced, but I could see the dog next door through the fence. He didn't seem like a likeable dog so I was glad there was a fence. I did like to tease him I might add, because I was protected by our fence. I didn't like the looks of this dog. I could tell from his bark that he was not very friendly.

Well, my Mummy took me to see a neighbor. Mummy went to the neighbor's back door and knocked several times. No-one appeared to be home. So Mummy was starting to go back home. All of a sudden there was the very dog I was talking about racing towards me. He looked very angry and all I could see was how mean and big his face was coming towards me. I was trying to appear strong. Mummy had me on a leash. All of a sudden the dog lunged at me and my Mummy. She held onto the leash for a while, but let go as this dog tried to attack me. I had to think quickly. I was suddenly loose. Where should I go? I saw a bush so I ran to hide behind it. The dog tried to get me but he couldn't get through the branches. I could see that Mummy had fallen face down in the earth. All of a sudden the next door neighbor came out with his other dog and managed to get hold of the attacking dog. I started to run and run in the open field to try and get away from the situation. When I thought all was clear I looked around and saw Mummy standing in the distance and decided to come back to her.

The next day, we saw the neighbor digging a big hole at the back of his yard. We never did see that mean dog again.

P.S. The neighbor apologized and said that the local rescue had taken the dog????

                                           How could you attack such a nice dog like me!!

Tale Nine - Daddy's Little Helper

Well, I'm back. Mummy is better now. She was away for a  long time and she is very important for many reasons. I couldn't collect my thoughts while she was away. Also I dictated my memories to her so she could put them on the computer. Hooray, she couldn't walk much and now she is walking. Things are getting back to normal.

Well, on the first day of spring you could just feel a change in the air. I loved to sniff the air and this particular day was sunny and warmer. Not too warm I might add, but just right. Daddy took me outside and said I could help him clean up the yard. I was having fun picking up the branches and running to my heart's content. I love to chew the bark. It was soooo tasty. The wood reminded me of paper which I also love. Daddy was always taking the twigs away from me after a bit. Of course, I tried to run away from him and not open my mouth.

Daddy started raking dead leaves into a wheelbarrow. I was his helper and wanted to have a go at the raking. I tried to catch it each time he raked and told him how I felt. My Daddy kept raking just the same.   I loved to catch the leaves and chew on them. There were so many leaves and when the wheelbarrow was full, Daddy took the wheelbarrow to the back of the garden. What fun to run after the wheelbarrow. I was guarding Daddy and I also took great pleasure in catching the occasional leaf or branch on the way.

After a good potty at one of the corners of the garden, it was time to rest. Boy, do I love Spring.

Here I am with my Daddy's rake and wheelbarrow...

                                                                               

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite pastimes chewing branches. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am looking out for my Daddy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Here I am looking strong.

 

Tale Eight - Tail Story

For a moment I am going off course for my story. There is a story to be told which is very important. Mummy and daddy searched high and low for a breeder who would not cut tails. Mummy and daddy did not know much about dogs and poodles for that matter when Gorky came to live with them. Gorky's tail had been cut to be shorter. From what mummy said it was not cut so short and was beautiful, but it was docked just the same. The more they thought about it, the more they didn't like the idea that tails or ears were docked. They thought it must have been painful for us dogs and  why couldn't we stay like we were born. Anyway the more mummy and daddy looked at undocked tails the more they thought our tails were beautiful.

Well when Gorky died, mummy and daddy told me they learned even more things to do with our breed. When they got another poodle they would make sure to not cut the tail. That's why they went to Carole who had not docked tails for years. I even had my dew claws which helps me to run and turn fast. Whew, I was lucky, just the thought of pain makes me cringe. Now, every time I see a docked tail I get mixed messages about what my fellow dogs are saying. I love to wag my tail and it helps me to run. twist and turn. Carole said to my mummy that we learn things quicker from her experience than dogs who have docked tails.

I love to feel the wind through my tail and I feel like I am dancing when it moves. And the girl dogs like me too!!! I have had girls swoon by just a flick of my tail, even seeing me just on a video I have a fan club.

Here are some photos of me showing my much liked undocked tail at play.

 

Here is a video of me playing ball which shows the movement of my tail.

 

 

 

If you can't see the video, here is a link to youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL8my3QUA6c

 

Here is a member of my fan club who is watching videos of me moving my tail.

 

 

This is a more recent photo of me playing ball in my yard in upstate New York.

 

 

Here's wagging at you bub! I am so glad my parents decided not to dock my tail.

 

 

 

Tale Seven - Ball Play Begins

I was really getting used to the place. Adrienne and Roger were my mummy and daddy now. They gave me fun things to do like running and playing with all sorts of toys. I liked to tug with a large rope and  I also liked the squeaky toys. I still do! I want to tear them apart and am always looking for the squeak.

When I go outside, I absolutely loved the crunch of a stone pebble. Mummy and Daddy did not want me to chew, but I did it anyway for the thrill of it all. I noticed that Mummy and Daddy were really hopping when I did this, so I tried to do it even more. I just couldn't help myself. I did outgrow this habit, but occasionally I do it to get their attention.  I also enjoyed it when they couldn't catch me, because I was a fast runner.

The one thing I found when I was with them early on was the love of the ball. I adored the ball (still do), because I wanted to catch it and run and it gave me the opportunity to play with both Mummy and Daddy. I learned how to fetch and catch the ball. In the beginning Daddy and I played with this ball within a ball. It was really exciting. I loved kicking it and really concentrated on getting it. I felt so excited while playing. I was born to play ball. It made my life worth living.  I couldn't keep my tail from moving. In fact my whole body was moving. The ball was really a challenge and I even liked the noise it made. We played in the house, in the yard and on the porch. I had to do it everyday. I looked forward to it and my day was not complete if we did not play.

Here is one of our indoor play sessions with the ball within a ball. Don't I look excited!!!  I couldn't keep my tongue in my mouth with all the excitement. I was getting very good with moving backwards as Roger daddy was moving his feet with the ball. I kept my eye on the ball always.

 

If you can not see the video above click on this you tube video link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq8tvp8aMhc

 

Here are some photos of me with my favorite ball in the yard.

 

 

 

 

 

I must go now because it is time to play ball.