Friday 16 April 2010

Which Way To The Poop Pile??

So, make no doubt I've been spoiled for the last 8 months or so. Yup, it's been about 8 months since I shoveled my dog yard. Mark shoveled for me yesterday (while I did water buckets), Richard for the 6 months before that and Mike for 2 months before that. Sure, I shoveled the yard up in Alaska, but that wasn't here.
Now, some mushers will tell you that they love shoveling their dog yards...that they love the quiet time with their dogs. Well, not me - if I want to spend quiet time with my dogs, I just go out and visit with them. I don't need a scoop and bucket in my hands! I'll scoop if need be, but it lost it's charm for me years ago, so I'm happy when I have good handlers here to do it!

But today there was no one here to do it but me!

The buzz started right away...

"Where's Richard?"
I told you he went back home.



"Can't he come back?"
Well, maybe, but not in time to shovel the yard. I'm going to do it.



"Are you sure you know how?"
Yes, I've been shoveling dog yards since before you were all born.
"Hmmm, we don't remember that."
That's because most of you have the attention span of a gnat that's been feeding on Monster Energy Drinks.



"Oh, that's cold. Richard never insulted us when he did chores."


They watched for awhile with obvious skepticism.





"Richard didn't use that shovel and bucket."

Well, it is practically spring and I like the lighter bucket and scoop.



"I think you missed a bit over there. Richard never missed anything."



"Must you make such a racket? Richard didn't wake us up when he shoveled."



"Can you scratch my ears?? Richard always scratched our ears when he shoveled."


And then I began to think they were pulling my leg....

"Richard scratched our ears for 15 minutes each."

Unlikely.
"Richard brought us treats when he shoveled."
Yeah, I'm thinking not.
"Richard let us off our chains while he cleaned."
Okay, now I know you are all lying.

I tuned out the clatter and finished my chores.



When I was done Crunchie gave me a big hug and told me I had done a good job.
Thanks Crunch. I knew I could count on you !



"Now are you sure you know how to find the poop pile?"
CRUNCH!!! Of course I do...

...and besides, Bet was waiting to make sure I did.



As we were puttering out into the woods she said, "BTW, Richard always let me ride up front."


12 comments:

Never Say Never Greyhounds said...

Cute post! :-)

Anonymous said...

Karen, you crack me up!!!

Helen Thorgalsen said...

the training never stops but instead of you doing the training it looks like the dog yard has some training to get you back into the scooping mode!! The drawback of an excellent handler is he has now raised the bar for everyone!!!

Unknown said...

Cute - keep the blogs coming.

Jack & Moo said...

LOL, that was great! Those pups really know how to pull your leg!

jack a-roo & miss moo

Wulik Siberians said...

You are SUCH an entertaining story-teller! When's the book coming out, humh???? ; )

Moose-Tipping said...

Man, this post is spot-on! As a handler myself, the poop-scoop and bucket are incredibly familiar, as are the comments of the dogs as I come around to collect their "offerings". Very entertaining read, Karen! Glad I stumbled across your blog!

Anonymous said...

I only have one Sibe but I've already found out she's the biggest white liar I've ever met. ;)

cute post!

wags-n-wiggles,
wild dingo

granimar said...

I'm usually a day behind as I get the BloB through email. What a wonderful morning laugh !!!! Karen, the facial expressions on the dogs are perfect !! This one was a great morning lift [at your expense, of course]

granimar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marlyn said...

Karen, if I were younger I'd come scoop your yard...your dogs would make it worthwhile because I don't doubt you interpreted their comments verbatim! Funny.

Pat in MN said...

Karen, you certainly DO know how to elicit sympathy!! OK, OK, how about if I scoop poop on Saturday?
I've always been amused that the dogs hang around and seem to be watching me quite closely when I scoop poop. I can't decide if they are checking up on me - or could they actually be saying thank you??