Dachshunds and Bluebonnets

 Is it just me or do dachshunds and bluebonnets (the State Flower of Texas) just go together?

Hey, Mom you're wearing sunglasses.  Did you forget that the sun is shining very brightly today and you want me to sit here and "look cute"? I can't keep my eyes open. Can we go now?



 

 We love Dog Days at the San Antonio Botanical Garden!

Are you tired, Bentley?

Maybe if I pretend to be asleep she won't make me go in the ring.  NOT!

Bentley has never done this before, but while waiting to go in the ring he laid down and took a little nap.  Not sure if he was tired or he just decided to make the best of the situation and take a nap!

Those ears, oh my!

Little Blossom loves the winter sun.  But I love her ears and her tail!

Just another day

Today has been a fun day, although a long one.  Up early and on the road to the dog show in Rosenberg, Texas (about 2 1/2 hours east of us). As I started out to the car with the first load of last-minute-things-to load Bentley ran ahead of me through the kitchen, through the laundry room and was waiting excitedly at the door into the garage.  This little guy knew he was going on a road trip! He went in and out with me as I loaded and then was ready to hop in the front seat and settle in.  I think he knows the clues: lots of grooming and fussing over him, a bath the night before, and then up earlier than usual.  He's too smart!

The sky was just beginning to turn light along the horizon as we pulled up onto the freeway.  I love watching the sunrise while driving.  Maybe that's one of the reasons I like these day trips to shows.  There were no clouds this morning, just a clear sky with the morning star shining down on us. The temperature dropped below freezing for a while and there was a heavy frost that made the pastures and fields look like snow had fallen.  Beautiful!

The show venue was a little tricky to find; thank goodness we had plenty of time.  It was inside one of the show barns with a packed dirt floor.  Oh joy trying to push a cart with a crated dog and bags of gear piled on it!  Fortunately I had worn sneakers to drive over and then changed into dress boots before walking inside.  I kept Bentley off the floor at first, but then decided to just not worry about him.  I gave him a quick brushing and a spray with finishing spray and he was ready for the ring. 

 

I had one minor panic when I realized I couldn't find his show lead anywhere.  I know I had it when we left the car, but where it is now is a mystery.  I had a lesser quality lead with me, but managed to find one vendor that sold the martingale leads. Lesson learned to always have an extra with me and to keep all of them secured. 

So how did the little guy do in the ring?  He was great!  Very relaxed and walked fairly well.  The judge was very nice, but didn't give me time to stack him.  She did everyone that way - I think she knew what she was looking for in the breeds she judged. He took Reserve Winners Dog and made his Mom very proud! I did have problems keeping that long dachshund nose out of the dirt - he loved it!

Same song, different verse

I didn't think the day would ever come when I could go somewhere without a) a small bag of Goldfish and b) a plastic bag containing a diaper, training pants, or a pair of size 2 underwear in my purse.

Now look at what's in my purse.  Dog treats and poop-pick up bags.  Oh well, life is good.

Cheering 'em on!

BLOSSOM:  I'm so cute, why just look what my Mama bought me!  A little cheerleader outfit!  I've never had an outfit before, but now I feel so special. I'm ready to cheer my team on to victory.

They're winning the Sugar Bowl tonight!   Yes, I now think I'm a "Hotty Toddy Girl"!

BENTLEY:  I'm sporting my nice warm fleece jacket to support my team.  They, uh, had a bad night in Houston this past week.  I don't take all this sports stuff too seriously, but I love my jacket. 

No way!

No, I will not open my eyes so you can make my picture.  I will not do it and you can't make me.  I do not want my picture made today!

Stolen cookie - oh joy!

My oldest grandchild (who is old enough to know better) left a cookie unattended on the sofa this morning.  I found out later there were 3 pieces in the box when he left it.  Bentley has no shame and by the time I caught him he was quietly consuming his second cookie probably thinking that Santa had come early just for him.  So far he has had no side effects. 

Do I love this little rascal?  Of course, he's spoiled rotten.

Almost clean, not!

My Mama gave me a bath - on Sunday afternoon, can you believe it? I showed her...as soon as she finished with me I headed straight out into the dirt and gave myself a good roll.  Ha ha Mom, take that!  Ooops, she's coming after me with the garden hose to wash me down, better run now!

Where I Stand

Little blog, I have not forgotten you.  While I have posted dog stuff on my main blog, Small Simple Things of Life I still intend to keep this blog going.  I have many dog things to write about, especially since I've done several dog shows this summer and realized that I know absolutely nothing about dogs! I have discoveries to write about, but first...

This picture was on Facebook this morning; it speaks for itself.  I'm a strong proponent of spaying and neutering your dogs. Why would you want to bring more puppies into the world unless you are an experienced dog breeder who understands bloodlines, genetics, breeding dogs, whelping puppies, and is willing to bear the cost of veterinary care for mama dog and her litter.  And, is willing to provide around the clock care for newborn puppies for weeks. 

Over the years I've heard people say the following:

• Oh, I just want to let her have one litter before I have her spayed. Really?  Do you think that the future owners of those puppies, provided you can find homes for them, will say the same thing?  How many dogs do you want to descend from your dog?
• My neighbor down the street has a beautiful poodle and I'm going to breed her to him.  Really?  What kind of dogs do you think your dog will throw?
• I've had people stop me and ask me if I want to "mate" my dog.  Really, What makes you think I would breed my pure blood, registered dog to your quite not right dachshund that has a smooth coat. What makes you think you have a Bichon there, mister?  Bichon's do not have long skinny smooth coat legs.  Can you imagine what goofy looking dogs you would end up with?

So here's a quick tour of where I stand:  Spay and neuter your dogs.  Only buy from a reputable breeder that lets you see his/her dogs and where he/she keeps them.  If you have a heart for rescue, then find a group that fully vets their rescues and take one of their dogs (and make a nice donation to their group in appreciation for giving you your forever friend).  And what about all the shelters that are brimming over with dogs?  They wouldn't be full if those dog's parents had been spayed or neutered!

Spay, Neuter, and leave the breeding to the experts!

Girl Dog Stress

I'm having a real hard time looking cute for this picture.  I'm so stressed out.  Today was my bath day and even though now I'm all fluffy and clean and smell good I'm sitting on this table.  You know what that means - I'm getting the dreaded pawdicure.  It's so stressful to be a little girl dog.

Such talent!

We've been to several dog shows during the month of July.  Bentley did okay on some days and not so okay on others.  I'm changing my tactics and starting over with training, but more on that in another post.  While Bentley's skill in the ring is lacking he has made up for it in other ways.  One of them is a skill that he displayed while I was dropping off the other dogs to board while we went to Dallas. 

As usual, I had all dogs in a harness and attached to the Pet Walker leash with all four dogs on one leash.  The girls had already been taken to the check in station and I was filling out papers when the kennel tech came to get Sawyer.  When I reached down to hand him over I realized that he was already off the leash because Bentley had chewed through both his leash and Sawyer's!  In less than 2 minutes time!  Such skill and talent!

The scenario repeated itself when I dropped them off to board while we went to Houston.  This time I was short 2 leashes so I had Bentley on the retractable and Blossom on her individual leash.  Blossom and Sawyer were taken first.  When they came back for Baylee I found that Bentley had chewed through the retractable leash and was working on Baylee's leash!  So he has ruined 5 leashes, including the retractable leash I had planned to use to walk him while in Houston.  Grrr!

So while we were browsing through all the many vendors at the show I decided to pick up several over the head leads to use when just walking them a short distance.  They are not as secure as a harness and leash, but Mr. Super Chewer will have a harder time chewing his way through these.  Or, at least I hope that will be the case.  We'll see. 

"My Mama loves me, I know she does.  I'm spoiled rotten!"