2012 Avon Descent

We last went to the Avon Descent kayaking race in 2010, and Barbie and Bender were mainly good companions, though Barbie kept trying to walk backwards when she was sick of standing still. Last year we didn't see the race because we were busy swanning about in Europe. How things have changed with the dogs!

This time Bender was the handful. He just could not calm down. We drove out to Toodyay and he was a pest in the car, while Barbie did her usual thing of sleeping or gazing out of the window. 

We found a parking spot and then walked back across the bridge. N wanted to watch from the bridge for a while, but Bender was alternating between looking like he would try to jump off the bridge into the water a long way below, or jumping off the kerb into traffic. 

When we got to the other side of the river we found that we couldn't go anywhere along the nice grassy foreshore in Toodyay as they were having an 'International Food Festival', no dogs were allowed. The whole area was fenced off, and we were forced to walk along a road to get down to an unoccupied stretch of river.

Barbie seemed to enjoy the sights and sounds near the river. There was a miniature railway which came rumbling past us on the trail, and she seemed to want to hitch a ride. All of the passengers were smiling at her. Bender had his own things to investigate.

He ended up dragging me down a steep bank, which was slippery mud from the recent rains. I landed on my arm and ended up with a sore shoulder, elbow and wrist. I also hurt my knee on a separate occasion as he tried to drag me to another spot. 

He started to calm down a bit, after I had a very loud whinge at him I think he realised what he had done.

All our camping paid off with Barbie finding a sandy spot to lie down. She didn't sit down at all last time we were in this spot, two years ago! Bender followed suit and we had quite a relaxing time watching the boats paddle past. I did wish I had a pack of frozen peas to put on my elbow though!

There were kids on the other side of the river who had started their own little campfires, and there was quite a lot of smoke. Barbie seems to have gotten over her smoke phobia as she didn't even seem to notice it. 

She did notice the sun when it came out though. She decided she would use N's shadow to keep her face out of it. 

Barbie also asked if we could get this boat, so N and I could be at the front and back to paddle, and her Highness could curl up in the middle hole, rest her chin on the boat, and enjoy the ride. 

Mittens stars in: When Claws won't RETRACT!!!

City Farmers opening at Osborne Park

We found out about the grand opening of City Farmers in Osborne Park via Facebook. Desma and her beautiful Bengal cat, Gunny were going to be there to demonstrate Kongs and there were some good opening discounts. N had her eye on getting another bed for Princess Barbie, and we were after a new leash for Bender, as his is looking very tired.

There were a lot of people and other dogs there exploring the store. Gunny was up on the cat tower, surveying the scene very calmly. He is a very striking cat. Both the dogs wanted to stay hello but we respected his space and kept a little distance.

There were treats to be had, and many adoring fans. Bender sat nicely for almost everyone he saw who was wearing a brown shirt in the hope that more chicken jerky would come his way.

Barbie picked out a bed (that brown one to the left of her), and showed off her sit as well. She also shook hands with a nice City Farmers' man. 

Bender's ruffian side did show itself a couple of times, he managed to hump a young black labrador puppy and it was a struggle to get him off! He also looked like he would mount a couple of others but I managed to stop him. He made a lot of friends though, including an adorable little staffy girl who playbowed to him and tried her best to tangle herself up with his leash. He also attempted to pull me through a set of shelves in order to get to,... well I don't know what. The cheese in my pocket managed to get his attention most of the time. 

Here is their attempt to be sitting and looking at the camera, but they were too busy stating their case for more treats. 

Barbie really does love her adoring fans, look at the smile on her face in this shot! Desma let Bender have a go with a Kong Wobbler that you fill up with treats, and the dog pushes it around the floor so the food falls out. There were some boring little biscuits in the Kong, but Bender knew there was something better in there as well, so he kept pushing it around leaving biscuits everywhere, trying to get the good stuff. Barbie leant a hand and cleaned up the biscuits so that noone else had to.

There were also some snakes and lizards that people were holding. I would have liked to hold one but I didn't want the ruffians to take too much interest in the reptiles. 

Right as we were heading out, Bender christened the aisle with it's first poop! It was a massive one too. I think he was too busy barking at the neighbours when I put him outside this morning. The official photographer took many photos of Team BB, but he also took a rather unflattering shot of the poo before I could scoop it up with my poo bag! 

We walked out with a bed, pigs ears, a toy for Bender, a leash, and appropriately a pack of poo pickup bags! 

Mad Mittens

Mittens is a very entertaining kitty. She isn't young anymore but she still has her moments, like this one where she stole Bender's tyre toy and attacked it for ages.

We have developed a little morning ritual. I am usually lying on my side when I wake up, and Mittens is usually perched on my highest point - my hip. My alarm goes off and I reach down carefully to turn it off without upsetting her. I then roll slowly onto my back, and like a veteran log roller, Mittens walks around and sits on my belly until I get up. 

I usually make coffee and eat some toast, and then get ready to go, changing into my biking gear. Mittens swarms around me, dashing around my legs and standing up on her back legs to head butt my hands. When she gets tired of jumping up she will just hold on to my shorts with her claws while I pat her.

This morning I added a new element to our morning ritual. She usually sits in the bay window and watches me ride away. I decided to see what she would do if I held my hand up to the glass. She rubbed herself against the window next to my hand like one of those poor kitties you see in those glass cases at pet shops. 

She has come a long way from the dirty, tiny, feral kitten we bought inside the house three and a half years ago. 

Barbie the paper shredder

We had a couple of busy nights last week, and Barbie didn't get to go on her usual half hour walk around the block. The dogs don't ask much of us - a walk a day, food and water. If we skip out on the walks then things start to get a little crazy.

We had left a pile of junk mail on the coffee table when we went out to work, and when I came home I discovered that Barbie had taken a shine to a particular hardware company catalogue.

She had efficiently shredded it and I thought perhaps I could use her services next time I have a pile of private information to dispose of.

Barbie's Greyhound Redeployment Agency - Episode 2 - Security Patrol

For full size, check it out at my DeviantArt, thegreyhoundmuse

More to come, next weekend!

Barbie's Greyhound Redeployment Program - Episode One - Assistance Dog

See the bigger version at my Deviant Art account, thegreyhoundmuse. 

Wordless Wednesday

Just another weekend romp

The dog park at Whiteman Park always has a great variety of canines romping around enjoying their freedom.

This adorable Sibe tried to check my pockets for treats. I love Sibes, they are so pretty and usually quite sweet as well. There are usually a few Sibes at Whiteman Park because the park is fully fenced so it keeps their wandering and adventurous tendencies in check.

A pair of Borzoi always get a lot of attention. I am sure their mum gets bored of explaining to people that they are Russian Aristocrats. They don't tear around the park quite as quickly as Barbie but they do get a bit of speed up, and the way their hair flows as they move is just amazing to look at. 

Bender is always the popular kid. He had these two chasing him pretty much 100% of the time we were at the park. The small brindle doggie barked the whole time trying to get Bender's attention but was never successful! 

Bender's new friends watched him very closely wherever he went, including when he had his rest in the trough.

Barbie stood sentry duty and made sure that everyone who came in the gate checked in with her first. 

After a good run, they were exhausted. Bender thinks that the car arm rests are the perfect height and shape for resting his nose in. 

Friday Night Babysitting

It is always good to take the dogs to new places - it means they are not at home causing mischief, but it also means that they expand their experiences. The more new experiences dogs have, the easier it is for them to adjust when you throw them into different situations.

When we were babysitting, we asked if we could bring the beasties along, and the answer was yes! The only problem from the dog's point of view was that N only bought along ONE DOGGIE BED!

The house had a hard floor and there was only one bed. Barbie in particular was perturbed by this. They had to share. 

Barbie started off by trying to take up the middle of the bed in the hope that Bender would give up and let her have the whole thing. 

Bender was aware of this tactic, and somehow managed to reclaim the whole space, with Barbie having to accept the corner of the bed as a pillow.

As usual, the dogs were great with the kids. We always supervise them very closely, but the girls are very gentle. The dogs certainly appreciate it. I think it helps that they can have a dog each, though they did seem to prefer patting Barbie for some reason. Perhaps it was because her hair is silkier? Or maybe because she is generally more still and calm than Bender is? 

I like to introduce the dogs to children at every opportunity. It's really a learning experience from both sides - the dogs learn to be calm and sweet and tolerant. The kids learn how to act around dogs, and hopefully learn that dogs are the most awesome thing ever. 

Yes, that's me, on a mission to create more 'dog people' !