Maybe You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks!

About 1am last night I was woken by the dog yard and Guardian Dogs on full alert. There is no mistaking that noise from an evening howl and anything similar. Once someone with multiple dogs with high prey drive has heard it, your feet are out of bed and moving before you have even properly woken up.

I flicked on the porch lights to a HORRIBLE sight - a porcupine walking in front of the house with 2 massive Guardian Dogs a half a step behind him. I hollered for Mark as I threw clothes on and grabbed a headlamp.

Five years ago Cricket had a run in with a porcupine. It ended badly for all - with a dead porcupine and an ugly quill removal from Cricket (which took 3 people). In my experience NO dog learns from a porcupine encounter - if fact it usually makes them MORE wild to get one (revenge perhaps).

I flew outside to find no porky and Cricket and Bear casually strolling around. What the.......??? I KNOW I did not imagine that. Mark was not as convinced.

I then noticed three cats in a semi circle staring under the porch. Getting down on my stomach I was able to find the fat prickly beast hiding under the house.

After some consulting it was decided to round up the cats, lock the Guardian Dogs in a pen for the night and see if Quilly Willy couldn't find his own way out of the yard before daylight.

Please, don't think too much of us. I have watched my dogs go through too much pain and spent way too much on vet bills in the past to have any warm and fuzzy feelings for porcupines. Even watching cute videos of them eating watermelon that you all post for me just makes my stomach churn. I don't hate much in life - but I HATE porcupines. The problem was that there was no clean shot on him.

We tucked Cricks and Bear in a pen with a bit of kibble as a reward, quickly rounded up KD, not so quickly caught Tic and chased Bait (who was thinking this was the most fun night of his life) around the yard for way too long.

At 4 am the dog yard hit full alert again. I went out but it appears our visitor had made his break. Good for him.

I suggest he keep moving, as he will be given no mercy should he show up again.

As for Cricket and Bear - I think they might be the SMARTEST Guard Dogs on the planet. I am in awe. I lay in bed last night thinking of the horror it would have been to pack 250 bleeding pounds of stressed, in pain dogs into my van for a 2 am rush to the vet. *shudder*

I'll have nightmares for weeks.

New Collar - Twig

Hey!

I continue to learn all sorts of new things here in my new home.

I'm getting along great with the guard dogs, they're fun to hang around and very patient.

I tried to show Bear some of my new Ninja skills that Bet taught me.  I could have sworn he was laughing at me.  I don't think I'll ever get as good as Bet.

For instance, the other day she taught me how to deflect a ferocious attack.  She told Bear to attack her... ferociously.

Honestly... I think I would have piddled myself if I saw that coming right for me!  I thought poor Bet was done for sure, but then...

Yep, she totally diffused the situation by asking Bear how many ounces in a cup.  It stopped him completely in his tracks!  I've never seen anything like it!  Cricket knew, but she just chuckled and wouldn't give him the answer.

Of course she told me that you should only use the question deflection tactic when all other avenues of escape were blocked... sometimes ferocious creatures actually know their measurement conversions, but it's a handy tool to have in your Ninja arsenal.

As you can see, Bear has been completely immobilized by the question, letting Bet escape easily.

I need to practice my diffusion questions, and also work on trying not to run, because sometime running makes things worse... but I do like to run.

One of the (as Bet calls it) "Biggie Big" things happening around here is that I'm outgrowing my collar.

I like my collar, I think it's very pretty, but it's sorta girlie, and I wanted something more FIERCE!  Bet was very happy to help me collar shop.  Apparently she has magazines, and bookmarked Websites and and color swatches for all of her ensemble shopping.

I can't get one of the really cool official herding collars, like hers, just yet because I'm still growing.  Those types of collars are very special and only for real herding dogs.  I haven't herded a single thing here yet, unless you count the cats.

Unbeknownst to me, KD actually called a meeting of CATS (Cats Against Twig Society) and was trying to have me removed from the house because I "bother" her too much.

Kick her out!

Frankly she's too fat and needs a little exercise anyway.  According to the Musher they really have no say in the regular household rules, although they seem to think they own the place.

Where was I... oh yes, the collar.

Bet looked up the meaning of colors for me and found that yellow is very fierce... but she told me that I can't wear a yellow collar and gave me a sad look.  Apparently that color is retired, and only worn by the beloved Kara, who was very fierce herself.

Bet also found that orange is also very very fierce, and since that's the color of a particularly annoying cat, I knew that was a good color... just to make KD mad.

I had to undergo a test to make sure that orange would go with my furs.

I think it's a go.  We told the Musher, so I hope my new collar gets here soon so I can be FIERCE!

- Twig

2016 Calendar - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!!

A lot of you have guessed that YES, we are creating the very firsty first 2016 North Wapiti Calendars!!!

Normally we just provide a way to get one of the mushing calendars that are available and have just one month of Pretty Curly Tails, but we listened to all of you, our wonderfully wonderful fans and we are making our very own calendar that's chock full of 12 months of nothing but North Wapiti!!!

We actually do listen to what you say on the Facebooks and bloggity blog comments!

We heard you say:

We love the Musher's photos of everythings (and stuffs) why don't you make a calendar!

We love the pictures of the Pretty Curly Tails, why don't you make a calendar!

We love the pictures of the kennel residents, why don't you make a calendar!

We love pictures of the FABulous Bet and her ensembles, why don't you make a calendar!

We love the inspirational quotes that the Musher picks out, why don't you make a calendar?

So we are making a calendar with all of those things (and stuffs)!

We'll be selling (for kennel fundraising purposes) a 12 month calendar.  It'll be 11X8 inches (11x17 when opened) printed on heavy card stock with spiral binding.  Perfect for walls and offices, and homes, and even in your car (but don't block your view of the road, that would be bad probably).

Each month will have several shots per page and also include an "inspirational" quote for every month that were picked out by the Musher herself!!

We've spent a lot of time picking out the most perfectly perfect pictures for each month.

We also helped find some really really good quotes for the Musher to choose from.

The cover photo is pretty special to me, and includes the Musher's digital signature.

Here is a sneak peak of the cover... can you guess what picture it is??

Come on, try to guess!!!!

Anyhoo, the calendars will be available for sale in October, and once we get the finished product, we'll post a linky link to buy them... we have to wait to weigh them before we reveal the final cost, because it'll include shipping and handling and all of that nit picky stuff that Heather Minion has to do to mail them.

We'll also include some of the pictures that go in them so you can be all SQUEEE!

Perfect for you and a gift!  So get ready!!!

- Bet

A Trip to the River - Twig

Hello fans, my name is Twig and I'm adorable.

Bet has explained that some of my expected duties here in my new home is to "blog" my adventures.  Seems a bit strange to me, but she says it's important, so here I am.

I must say that I'm enjoying my time here at North Wapiti Kennels.  My mom told me that is was a great position, and that I would lead a very exciting life.  I was expecting a full time position where there actually were some sheep, but apparently my job is to help herd "Pretty Curly Tails", which are actually Siberian Huskies that pull sleds for fun and sport.

My owner is called "The Musher" although I'm pretty sure she has never in her life said "mush", she actually does this high pitched "lululululululululu" thing, and since her cooking is actually very tasty, I'm pretty sure it's not a nickname for her culinary skills.  This confuses me, as I like things to be pretty cut and dried.  I've managed to glean from conversations that her real call name is Karen, but I'll stick to her nickname for continuity sake.

One of the good things about being a puppy apparently is the small size of my head.  This allows me to reach the good parts of the leftover peanut butter in the jar.

I wholeheartedly approve of peanut butter, although the fat content could lead to weight issues.  I don't expect this kind of a treat every day, just when the jar has been used up, so I don't see a problem with the calorie content.

Seeing how I'm expected to grow quite a bit until I reach adulthood, I don't expect another jar to be emptied before my head is too large, so I'll just enjoy this little treat while I can, and feel fortunate that I arrived at the ritual empty peanut butter jar time.  Bet says she usually gets the jar, but seeing how I'm new, she let me have the honors.  That was very nice of her.

Bet has also been very gracious to let me share her dog bed.  She says it's officially called a "clouch" because it's a cross between a cloud (one type of foamy dog bed) and a couch (although this one doesn't have legs, but it does resemble a couch).  Not wanting to appear as though I don't appreciate her generosity, I too shall call it a "clouch".  I had no idea that I would also need to learn a whole new language in my new home.

I don't want to appear as though I'm just taking over the place, so I find it easier and more polite to sleep up here.  It's pretty comfortable.  Yes, I realize that there is yet another of these "clouches" right behind me, but this is the one that Bet "gave" me, and I don't want to overstep my bounds until I can figure out the whole routine, and pecking order of this new home.  Plus, it's just not nice to come in and take over.  I know I wouldn't appreciate a young pup like me just glomming on to my things, so I try to be gracious about boundaries and rules.

Although this may not appear to be a comfortable position, it actually is, as I don't have to worry about rolling over and landing on Bet (who tends to be a bit flighty about some things... I'm curious to experience these horrible creatures she calls "pointy pointy beady eyed birds").

The other day the "Musher" told us that we were going to the lake for an adventure.  I'm very keen to experience new things, and I haven't seen a lake yet, so I was raring to go.  Of course we had to wait until Bet had picked out an appropriate "ensemble" and then decide that she wouldn't wear one because it might get muddy, and that was a whole process that took forever, but eventually we got to the lake and it was wonderful!

There was squishy mud that feels really funny between your toes, and it smells slightly gross, but a wonderful gross, and there was this rock!  What a great rock that was!

The water was a bit warm and muddy, but tasty.

I saw another rock and I told Bet that it would be fun to splash through the water and get on that rock, and she was like all "watch out, there's creatures in the water and muck and the Musher will give you a bath", but I was all like "watch me run out there and be queen of the rock!"

So I did, I got on the rock!

I looked really close to the water and didn't see any creatures.  Sure there was muck, but muck is fun!

I tried to get Bet to come in and play in the water and play queen of the rock, but she said something about mussing her furs or something.

When I got out Bet gave me a lesson on water safety.  Something about stretching, and then not getting into the water until an hour after I ate, something about cramps, and the proper way to give CPR.

Thankfully she lost her train of thought when we heard a sound in the woods.  She's worried about bears, but not the bodyguard variety Bear.  I heard her chastising the "Musher" about not bringing the Homeland Security crew with us, but the "Musher" said we'd be fine, so I figured she knows what she's talking about.

I went and played in the long grass, because it was fun and there's cool bugs and things in there to chase and eat.  The grass wasn't that tasty, but I chomped a path through it.

I have to admit it got a bit dense in there, and then Bet had a conniption about not being able to see me, so she made me come back.

WHAT???

I tried to get her to go wading in the water with me and chasing these creatures she keeps talking about, but she said she was muddy enough.

So I'm like "fine, I'll go hunt for creatures by myself or something", and that got me a lecture on creatures and how they'd eat my face.  I'm beginning to wonder if Bet needs to be on some meds or something.

So I stalked an evil lake monster into the water

It was huge and ferocious, but I caught it and subdued it!

It nearly pulled me into the water, but I was able to capture it and kill it!

Then I found some delicious smells and followed their trail to the water again

I was pretty sure I captured it, but it turned out to be a blade of grass and not a giant worm set on destroying the world.

I heard some splashing, so I went to investigate the noise

I discovered that you can't smell things in the water because that muck goes right up your nose, but that didn't stop me

Where is that splashing thing, I shall capture you too!

I think it was a fish!!

Here fishy fishy, I will capture you!

Fish apparently swim very fast, but I was hot on its trail!

Come out, come out little fish

Hey!  Was that the fish?

Since I was getting pretty wet and muddy, Bet wanted me to come back to shore

Hey!  Come back on the shore, you'll be eaten alive!!

Helloooooo, did you hear me little missy????

It was pretty fun out at the lake, even with worry wart Bet around.  Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have someone looking out for you and all, but eeesh, I'm a growing puppy and I don't need a nanny!

-Twig

Twig's First Day - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!!!!

What a beautifulness day it was yesterday because my puppy came home finally!

I'll wait here while everyone does their happy dance, but remember to stretch first.

Anyhoooooo, first things first... had to get her some collar bling and bequeath her my old clouch.

Bling and Clouch

 I think the purple and pink really bring out her furs, but doesn't detract from her beautiful brown eyes.

Of course, she got the lay of the land... er house first.  I introduced her to KD.

Who hates her, but KD hates everyone, and everything... ungrateful beast.

I showed her the box of toys.

She said they don't smell like baa baa sheepy things.  I told her that they smell like Poutines, and Pretty Curly Tails.  She hasn't met the Pretty Curly Tails yet, we're waiting until she gets a bit older.

Then I took her outside for a stroll and to introduce her to my personal body guards.

She was a bit hesitant because of their size, but agreed that they could sufficiently guardy guard her.  The Border Patrol also like her, and agreed to take her on as a client (but I still get top priority).

She wanted to sniff around, and Bear made sure she stayed within the limits of his guardy guardy perimeter.

She did NOT like the large black lump in the road until I explained that it was just Bait. Frankly we think Bait is suicidal, as he's been roaming far from home, and has taken to laying on the road right where the wheels go.

Bait also tried stalking Twig in front of Homeland Security... seriously delusional.

Cats in this picture are of actual size... fat.

She got a bit confused and didn't know which way was home, so I showed her the way.

This way

I explained the ins and outs of kennel life.

The bed is mine, the Musher is mine, the Pretty Curly Tails are mine, the house is mine, I call perpetual shotgun in the truck, the cats are evil.

Um... ok

Then I let her investigate stuffs and things on her own for a while, but kept a close eye on her in case she got into trouble.

Don't eat that, it's cat poop

Don't go that way, bears will eat you

You're sitting on a sticker weed

Don't get dirty, the Musher will bathe you

Since she's a little puppy, she tired out pretty quick, so I had Bear guide her back home gently.

He's fine, he won't squish you

Then she got to play some card game with the Musher and Musher Mark called Cabbage.  I have yet to figure out the game, but involves cards, a wood thing with pegs and doing dishes.

Twig had to do the dishes... hey, the Kennel is tough, but fair, doesn't matter if it was her first day, she has to learn these things.

Then it was time for bed.  Since she is new, and hasn't earned her right in the bedroom, she had to spend her night at the kennel while we slept... well... I slept just fine, the Musher had to spend some quality time with her after Twig's all night serenading.  Who can blame her... new places are sometimes scary, and she was lonely without her littermates.