A 'Door Number 2' Kinda Guy

Don't know if many of you remember the game show 'Let's Make a Deal'. Apparently it is still on TV (who knew?) but I remember it from the days that Monty Hall would wonder if contestants wanted to stay with the prize they had already won or gamble on 'Door Number Two' which might have a bigger and better prize or a 'Zonk' prize (like a llama).

I can promise you that if young Pete were on the game show he'd ALWAYS go for Door Number Two.

How do I know?

Every morning and evening I step into the pen to the frantic jumping and grabbing of 4 little monsters. Since their Auntie Colleen taught them to sit for their meals while we were in Hawaii I wait until butts hit the ground before kibble does.

Pete is ALWAYS the first to sit and I put the first bowl down in front of him and take a few steps over. There in front of me is Pete, who again sits. I place the bowl in front of him and take a few steps over. There in front of me is Pete, who again sits. I place the third bowl in front of him and take a few steps over. There in front of me is Pete - his littermates happily chowing down as he sits for the fourth bowl.

I've tried to tell him all the kibble is the same, but he won't take the chance.

"I'll take Door Two, Monty"

Maybe he's waiting for the llama!

Telling Us Apart - Bet

It has come to my attention that some peoples are having a hard time telling me apart from the Molly Toddles.

Harumpf!

First of all, clearly I'm a Border Collie, and I wear the most fantabulous bling collar around.  Sure the Molly Toddles are getting pretty big, and sure some of them are black and white like me, but they're Pretty Curly Tails, whereas my tail is not curly, although it is very pretty.

As you can clearly see in exhibit #1 above, I'm clearly NOT a Toddle... but since we seem to have a lot of people getting confused, I'm working on a way to clearly identify each of the Toddles.

Unfortunately my first attempt did not meet with Carbon's approval, and Pete destroyed my decorative flower.

Back to the drawing board.

- Bet

North Wapiti Knowledge Nugget - Bet

Well Howdy Ho Everybodies!!!

We've been ultra-mega busy here at North Wapiti Kennels lately and there have been questions about the new dog and stuffs and things, so here's an update and a nugget of knowledge (there will be a quiz, so pay attention).

So, we all got together for the big Canada Day celebration picnic.  Good friends, good food, and everyone showed up.

Yogi arrived and was immediately upset that I took the comfy chair... he also wasn't sporting any fashionable ensembles because I told him it wasn't a fashionable ensemble type of party so he pretty much pouted the entire time.

Bait showed up when he found out there were boxes.  He insisted we all call him Lord Cuddly Boots... yeah, that didn't happen, so he pouted most of the day.

KD was busy watching the Tour De France bike riding thingamabob.

She keeps trying to trip up the riders because she thinks its funny when they fall... I have no idea what's become of her lately.

She decided to join the party later in the day and then complained when we were out of bacon.

Cricket found some time from her guard duties to make an appearance.

She guarded the plates.

I had my comfy chair, had some snacks, and I may have had a beer... or two...

I must have been a bit dehydrated because it went right to my head and after eating I needed a nap.

The Musher called me a lightweight and attempted to dip my paw in some warm water, but I wasn't that "exhausted".

So, that was all very exciting.

During the hot summer months, there's not a whole lot of training to do, and now that the Molly Toddles are bigger, my Nanny duty is pretty much over.  They're in their own pen now, the biggest thing that will happen (when they are ready) is that they'll get introduced to the main dog yard, so that leaves my days for very important things (and stuffs).

Now while it may seem like I'm napping, I'm actually doing my Yoga moves to keep limber and stretchy.

I also have to keep an eye out on KD, who tends to get into things she shouldn't be getting into... like easily accessible foodables.

MUSHER!!!!  KD is attacking your nuts and apple slices!!!!

I hate you.

After everything I've done for you, that's how you talk to me?

Leave the plate alone!!!!  MUSHER!!!!!

Shut up, I'm trying to capture the trees

It's a design on the plate... seriously, what is wrong with you?

See... it's exhausting.

Anyhoooo, a bunch of you have asked about Bear... he's still in training and learning stuffs and things.

You've also asked what breed he is.  He's a Sarplaninac... which is pronounced Sarp... Sarplana.... big goofy dog.

We've kinda bonded since we have a lot in common:
I flunked out of baa baa sheepy thing school.
He flunked out of guarding baa baa sheepy things.

um... ok, so that's about it actually, but we're both not too crazy about the baa baa sheepy things.

He doesn't like thunder, so when it stormed he would hightail it to shelter and leave the baa baa sheepy things to fend for themselves (and frankly I don't see a problem with that).  Cricket doesn't like thunder, so the only problem we have now is both he and Cricket trying to squeeze through the cat door whenever it storms.

Other than that, I'm training him to realize that he's the "outdoor" help.

While I'm the privileged "indoor" supervisor that requires vigilant guarding against stompy things, and things with beady eyes and poky poky beak things.

And these are his "sheepy things"

Except Cindy Lou Who is making it a bit harder teaching him what his responsibilities are.

I'm a model... you know that right?  So I expect my cappuccino first thing in the morning, not too hot, not too cold, and have my model booking appointments in my calendar, and I also want my kibble with a little soup, not just during training season, but ALL the time... you can handle that, right? 

It'll take some time to get him up to speed.

No Bear!  Cappuccino has more froth than latte... duck, she's gonna throw it!!!

Full Time Shifts Begin.....

Bear is settling nicely into kennel life here.

He had been spending any unsupervised time in one of our pens, but after some 'negotiations' regarding the cats, most specifically KD, the time has come for him to assume some full time work.

Last night was his first 'night shift' and he did great (KD opted to sleep in the house - just to be safe).

I'm going to need to get used to his barks though! I can sleep through Cricket's routine announcements and warnings (some nights that happens fairly frequently, most nights hardly any are necessary) but a 'strange dog' bark wakes me every time!

In accordance with his contract, benefits including spa treatments, medical, snack package etc, have already begun.

Bear getting a Spa Day from Nina!

Bear and Cricket having breakfast!

Checking out the local watering holes.

Meeting the 'locals'. (Bear is very respectful of the dog yard and doesn't venture in - but has met a number of the Siberians one on one.)

Hanging with the Boss. (Yeah, we all know who is REALLY the Boss around here!)

Trying to rid the kennel of flies!

Welcome to the Circus Bear!!!!!

Spa Day for the LGDs!!!!

Our Siberians are pretty 'self grooming'.....well....if they all lived in the house it would be a different story but since they live outside, I can be a compulsive fur plucker, plucking loose clumps of fur as I go about my daily chores and a few times a year tossing them on the grooming table for a blow or brush out.
Although they shed profusely, they don't matt up at all!

Our LGD (Livestock Guardian Dogs) Bear and more specifically Cricket are a different story!!! Cricket lived on her own on a First Nation Reserve for quite awhile before coming into rescue. She was a matted mess when they got her and came to us shaved. Since then we have done yearly shaves on her. Otherwise she turns into mess with all kinds of forest souvenirs embedded in her huge coat.
Bear's coat is much better, but he came to us sporting dreadlocks on his HUGELY long tail.

Our friend Nina owns a grooming business in Whitecourt, Alberta and very kindly offered to come out and do a Spa Day for Cricket here at the kennel!

After taking a good look at Cricks, Nina was confident that she could brush and trim her coat rather than do the dreaded shave!

And so it began.....the brushing...

(and a big shout out to Nina here.....from carrying buckets and dragging excited sled dogs around I have pretty good upper body strength. I cannot, however, pick up Cricket. Tiny little Nina not only hefted her up onto the grooming table, but later into the bathtub in our garage. WOW! She tells me it is because she picks up dogs every day at work. But still ... WOW!)

....and more brushing....

and more brushing....

....and then bathing....

(Nina says the first shampooing produced BLACK rinse water!)

.... and bathing....

(Please excuse Cricket's nose. She had a run-in with mosquitoes the other night and then rubbed it raw afterwards. We are treating it and it is healing well now.)

......and 'floofing'....

and brushing....

.....and brushing....

....and trimming and floofing...

.....and TA-DA!!!!

She looks and feels GREAT!!!!!!!

Bear spent the day closely watching all the proceedings.

When Nina offered to give him a bit of a brushing and trim to get those dreads out of his tail, he was happy for the attention.

He's starting to think the gig here at NorthWapiti is a pretty good one!

Thanks Nina for all your hard work!!!! The LGDs think you rock!!!! We agree!!!